Migraine associated with road traffic accidents in United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVE: To study migraine associated with road traffic accidents in the United Arab Emirates. METHODS: A cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted at Al-Ain Medical Health District, Al-Ain and Tawam Hospitals, United Arab Emirates. A total 1985 vehicle drivers aged 18 years and above were seen at Al-Ain and Tawam Hospitals for accidents and trauma for the period of 1994. During this period a total of 1715 vehicle drivers responded for the study. RESULTS: Of the 1715 vehicle drivers, 80 drivers had migraine condition in association with road traffic accidents. Migraine related vehicle accidents comprised about 4.7% of road traffic accidents; a higher proportion being relevant for motorways. The majority of victims (72.5%) were males and most (53.4%) were young and under the age of 35 years; 63% were married; 82.5 % had some formal education, 40% had a full license to drive a commercial taxi-cab; 63.7% had more than 2 years driving experience and 46.3% used safety seat belts occasionally. 61.3% admitted driving at excessive speeds; 35% smoke while driving; 33.8% use phones during driving and 38.8% drove with their child in the front seat. Overall, the prevalence rate of migraine at the present sample of adult drivers was 4.7% (80/1715). Of those studied 80 (4.7%) which were 72% migraine without aura and 28% migraine with aura, respectively. The comparison of licensed drivers with migraine and all other licensed drivers without migraine was made. Significantly higher risk was observed for careless driving [RR=1.54; 95% CI=1.21-1.94, p<0.002] and property damage [RR=1.88; 95% CI=1.02-3.44; p<0.05] among drivers having migraine. However, excessive speed violations, traffic violations, alcohol and drug use did not show significant association with RTA. Finally, there were very strong correlation between severity and frequency of migraine with the risk of careless driving (r=0.76, p<0.001) and property damage (r=0.61, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: More public awareness needs to be drawn to the dangers of driving while having difficulty with migraine conditions.

The effect of epilepsy on road traffic accidents and casualties.

A prospective study was carried out between October 1992 and June 1994 to investigate the effect of epilepsy as a risk factor in road traffic accidents (RTA) and casualties in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aim of this paper was to investigate the risk and effect of epilepsy on road traffic accidents and casualties and identify possible risk factors for traffic accidents and casualties and identify possible risk factors for traffic accidents and violations among these drivers. Most (70%) were young drivers and under age 40 years; 43% were UAE nationals; 41% had a primary school education; 48.8% had a full license to drive private or commercial taxis; 41% had less than two years driving experience and 17.1% used seat bolts regularly. Most (65.9%) admitted to crossing red traffic lights; 46.3% to parking in forbidden areas; 66% to speeding; 36% to smoking while driving; 34.1% to using the telephone whilst driving; 43.9% to putting their child in the front seat; 20.8% had been previously involved in an RTA; and 53.7% had sustained serious injury. A figure of 34.1% had at least one seizure per year and 26.8% had at least one seizure per month. The most common violations were careless driving (34.1%) and traffic regulation violations (24.4%). Significantly higher risk was observed for property damage (RR = 1.85; 95% CI = 0.64-5.14) and traffic violations (RR-1.91; 95% CI = 0.54-2.29). In the UAE there are no restrictions on the issue of driving licenses to people prone to epileptic seizures. In conclusion, it is emphasized that patients with conditions such as epilepsy should feel obliged to inform the traffic authorities or the health authorities about their condition. It seems likely that the problem could be greatly reduced if appropriate action was taken concerning epileptic drivers. It is hoped that the results and recommendations of this study will be useful to traffic and health authorities.

Casualty risk reduction from safety seat belts in a desert country.

A prospective study was carried out between December 1991 and October 1992 to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of hospitalized drivers regarding seat belt usage in United Arab Emirates (UAE). During this period, a total of 800 vehicle drivers were seen and treated in the Accident and Emergency Departments of two general hospitals. A total of 706 (88%) drivers gave consent for the study. The study showed that the rate of constant seat belt usage among drivers was 10.5%, and the rate of frequent seat belt usage was 5.8%. There was a statistically significant difference between seat belting and age groups (p = 0.0051). However, there were no significant statistical differences between seat belt usage versus non usage by sex, nationality and marital status. There were statistically significant differences between user and non-users of seat belts concerning their educational level and occupation. The results showed a reduction in the number of injuries due to usage of seat belts. Those patients who were not wearing seat belts were at risk twice as often as drivers who were restrained by belts. There was a statistically significant difference between the number of persons injured wearing and not wearing seat belts, (p = 0.032). It was observed that the majority of patients stated that seat belts are the best protective measure against all injuries (62.1%) and severe injuries (29.1%) of road traffic accidents. Also, there was strong support for the mandatory use of safety seat belts (56%). We may conclude that these data are encouraging, and would suggest general acceptance of seat belt legislation in the United Arab Emirates.

Road traffic injuries in Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates.

Road traffic injuries are the second major cause of death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A retrospective study for a 1 year period of all road traffic accidents and injuries was conducted in Jimi Hospital for the period 1 January to 31 December, 1990. A total of 1197 injuries were encountered at the Hospital Emergency Department. The majority of victims were males and under the age of 35 years. During the Ramadan (fasting month), the number of persons who were injured by traffic accidents was slightly higher than during other months. Excessive speed was closely related to traffic accidents and injuries. Most of the accidents and injuries occurred from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm. Head injury was the most frequently noted type of injury (40.5%), followed by limbs injury (22.1%) and chest, abdomen and pelvic injuries (14.7%). These findings suggest that there is a need to take a comprehensive approach on both excessive speed and driving habits.