Burden,pattern and outcomes of road traffic injuries in a rural district of India |
| |
| Authors: | Gopalkrishna Gururaj Pallavi Sarji Uthkarsh Girish N Rao Ashok N Jayaram Venkatesh Panduranganath |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Epidemiology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, Centre for Public Health, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore 560029, India;2. Department of Community Medicine, Sree Siddhartha Medical College and Research Centre, B.H. Road, Agalkote, Tumkur 527107, India;3. Department of Epidemiology, Centre for Public Health, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore 560029, India |
| |
| Abstract: | Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a leading public health problem and the understanding of RTIs in rural India is limited. The present report documents the burden, pattern, characteristics and outcomes of RTIs in a rural district of India using combined data sources: police and hospital. RTIs contributed for 38% of fatal and 39% of non-fatal injuries with an annual mortality rate of 18.1/100,000 population/year. Young males were affected most and two-wheeler users and pedestrians were involved in 45% and 20% of fatal crashes, respectively. Nearly half (51%) of fatal RTIs occurred on national highways of the district; 46% died immediately at the site. Among those hospitalised, 20% were under the influence of alcohol while use of helmets and seat belts was <5%. Trauma care was deficient in the district leading to greater number of referrals. Road safety should be given high importance in rural India with a focus on safe roads, safe vehicles and safe people along with trauma care. |
| |
| Keywords: | road traffic injuries vulnerable road users risk factors trauma care rural India |
|
|
