Tendency of road traffic injuries among different age groups in China from 2004 to 2018 / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the tendency of road traffic injuries (RTIs) among different age groups in China from 2004 to 2018 so as to provide a reference for targeted prevention of RTIs.Methods:Based on the annual traffic accident report data from the Ministry of Public Security of China and the China Statistical Yearbook, the age was divided into four groups 0-14 years, 15-34 years, 35-59 years and ≥60 years. The total number of accidents, number of fatalities, number of injuries and age composition ratio of RTIs in different age groups were calculated from 2004 to 2018, and the mortality and disability rates of RTIs in different age groups were also calculated. The annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) of the total number of accidents, number of fatalities, mortality rate, number of injuries and disability rate of RTIs among different age groups in China were measured by Joinpoint regression so as to analyze development trend of RTIs.Results:From 2004 to 2018, the age distribution concerning the number of accidents, deaths and injuries of RTIs were mainly among 15-34 years and 35-59 years, with the composition ratio greater than 40%. The composition ratio of people aged ≥60 years was small, but was increased gradually. The fitted value of the segmented regression model had a small relative error with the actual value, showing good fitting effect. From 2004 to 2018, the total number of accidents, number of fatalities, mortality rate, number of injuries and disability rate of RTIs in China were all statistically descended (AAPC=-5.53， P<0.01；AAPC=-3.64， P<0.01；AAPC=-4.19, P<0.01; AAPC=-5.13, P<0.01, AAPC=-5.65, P<0.01). Total number of accidents, number of fatalities and mortality rate of RTIs in China showed a notable upward trend instead after 2016 (APC=8.15, P=0.03; APC=2.10, P<0.01, APC=1.55, P<0.05). From 2004 to 2018, the total number of accidents, number of fatalities, mortality rate，number of injuries and disability rate of RTIs among people aged 15-34 years and 35-59 years were statistically descended (AAPC<0, P<0.05), while the total number of accidents, number of fatalities, mortality rate, number of injuries, and disability rate of RTIs among people aged ≥ 60 years showed a notable upward trend instead (AAPC=7.13, P<0.01; AAPC=6.64, P<0.01; AAPC=3.37, P<0.05; AAPC=8.85, P<0.01; AAPC=5.83, P<0.01). Conclusions:From 2004 to 2018, the total number of accidents, number of fatalities, mortality rate, number of injuries and disability rate of RTIs present a decrease trend in China and among people aged 15-34 years and 35-59 years, while an upward trend in those aged ≥60 years. In particular, the RTIs among people aged ≥60 years in China show an increase significantly since 2016, so the education of traffic safety awareness for the elderly should be strengthened to prevent their occurrence of RTIs.