A Retrospective Evaluation of Pattern of Injuries Sustained During Road Traffic Accident in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background

Expansion in road network, motorization, and urbanization in the country has been accompanied by a rise in road accidents leading to road traffic accidents (RTAs). RTA is an issue of national concern, considering its magnitude and gravity and the consequent negative impacts on the economy, public health and the general welfare of the people. Road traffic injury (RTI) is major but neglected public health problem in both developing and developed countries.

Objective

To study the factors involved in the Road Traffic Accidents and nature, type and mode of occurrence of Accidents.

Methodology

The study is a retrospective analysis of cases of RTAs victims admitted in HIMS, Hassan (Karnataka) during the period between Jan 2016 and Dec 2016. The information about the patients admitted as cases of RTAs were ascertained from the hospital records.

Results

From the Records a total of 559 cases of road traffic Accidents were analysed. In our study majority (47.4%) of the victims were in the middle age between the age group of 21–40 years. Around 63.1% of the accidents had occurred on state highways and 19.1% in the cross road junctions. The intake of Alcohol by the persons who met with accident was found to be significantly associated with the age group of the study subjects and Gender.

Conclusion

Road safety is a multifactorial public health issue with many factors involving in it. The impact of mortality and morbidity of Road traffic accident leads to great loss to the families and society. RTA has become an emerging problem in developing countries taking lives of the productive age group of the society