Road traffic accidents [RTAs] and head injuries in Sharkia governorate; an epidemiological study

ABSTRACT

The present work is a retro-spective study that had been carried out on cases of head injuries which had been admitted to Zagazig University hospital during the year 2000 due to road traffic accidents and on drivers involved in these accidents. The aim was to investigate some epidemiological aspects of road traffic accidents and head injuries affecting the users of vehicles and pedestrians. A pre-designed questionnaire sheet was used to collect data about victims from the hospital records. Another questionnaire sheet was used for accident-involved drivers. Middle sex hospital questionnaire was applied also on the drivers by personal interview. Number of accident-involved drivers was 896, the mean age was 38.4 years old, 65.1% had lived in rural areas, 88% were married, 40.4% read and write, 18.5% had high education, 73% were tobacco smokers, 57.3% were bhangue smokers, 4.6% were alcohol abusers and 2.9% were both bhangue smokers and alcohol abusers. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, vision problems. liver cirrhosis and heart failure was 14.1%, 7.1%, 4.5%, 2.2% and 0.9%, respectively. Number of accidents was 697; 59.1% of them had happened on rural roads, 28.6% were vehicle/ vehicle collision, 28.4% were vehicle/tree or building collision, 40.9% were vehicle/pedestrian collision. Causes of accidents human causes [67.7%], vehicular causes [21.3%] and road environmental causes [11%]. Time of accidents was dusk [30.3%], dawn [28.4%], night [25.8%] and day light [15.5%]. Public service vehicles, private vehicles, motorcycles and trucks were included in accidents by percentages of 40.4%, 21.9%, 21% and 16.7%, respectively. Number of cases of head injuries was 1224; 65.6% of them were passengers, 11.1% were drivers and riders, and 23.3% were pedestrians. Prevalence of anxiety, depression, somatization, obssession, hysteria and phobia in drivers was 12.3%, 9.9%, 6%, 5%, 4% and 3.6%, respectively. Male female ratio in cases of head injuries was 2.6 1. Head injuries in the age group [15-44] years were 56.6% of the victims. In the age group [15-44 years], male female ratio in cases of head injuries was 2.3 1. The ratio was 2.81 in accidents on rural roads and 1.9 I on urban roads. All victims of good neurological status had improved. Rates of improvement, disability and death in the victims of moderate neurological status were 44.4%, 5.4% and 1.2%, respectively, and in those of bad neurological status 29%, 5.9% and 27.9%, respectively. Road traffic accidents form a public health problem. They usually cause head injuries that may lead to disability and death. Organization of health education program for the public about the road safety. More attention should be directed to roads environment especially at the black and red spots. Providing and improving the facilities near by the roads for early management and ambulance of the victims. Strict supervision on application of traffic law especially using seat belt, speed monitoring and proper maintenance of vehicles