[ pattern of road traffic injuries and related factors in Shahrood, Iran]

ABSTRACT

Injuries and deaths from traffic crashes have become a major public health and socio-economic problem in Iran. Our study aimed to investigate patterns of road traffic injuries [RTI] in Shahrood and to furnish evidence for developing measures and strategies and to improve RTI. A descriptive-analytical study was performed on cases of road traffic injury admitted between 21 Mars and 22 Sept 2005 [the first six months of Iranian calendar] to the trauma center of Imam Hossein Hospital in Shahrood. Data were collected by a questionnaire and analyzed with regard to demographic, pre-hospital and hospital information. Of the 621 injured traffic victims admitted over the 6-month period, 72% were men. The majority were in the 20-29y [30/3%] and 13-19 y [19/6%] age categories. The mean age of the men and women were 29/2 +/- 15/2 and 32 +/- 16/6 respectively. Motorcyclists were more likely to be injured in urban areas whereas the majority of car drivers and occupants had been injured on country roads. Moreover, 63/8% of the subjects were admitted as inpatients and the mean length of hospitalization was 3 days +/- 3/4 and 8 subjects had undergone amputations. Fracture of bones [41/4%] was the most common injury; 30% of the road injuries occurred from 10 am to 1 pm. A total of 90.1% of motorcycle drivers were not wearing helmets and 44/1% of injured car drivers were not using seat belt. Thirty-one deaths were recorded, accounting for 18% of all deaths registered at Imam Hossein Hospital. This study provides useful information for establishing priorities for the prevention of road accident injuries. Only a minority of motorcyclists and car drivers used safety devices [helmet and seat belt respectively] at the time of accident. Strategies to reduce RTI would include improving the road traffic environment, setting road safety rules and ensuring compliance, developing stakeholder coalitions, changing current perceptions and promotion of healthy practices by enforcing the laws requiring the use of helmets and safety belts a helmet and seatbelt