Sociodemographic profile of non-fatal road traffic accident cases admitted in tertiary care hospital in Central India

Abstract

Background: Road traffic injuries remain an important public health problem at world, regional and national levels. Data on magnitude of problems and risk factors involved are essential to developing a systemic approach to road safety. Only by systematic and data-led management of the leading road injury problems will significant reductions in exposure to crash risk and in the severity of crashes be achieved.  Hence in the background of high epidemiologic proportions of road traffic accidents and the fact that very few exploratory studies were reported from central India, the present study was undertaken to study sociodemographic profile associated with road traffic accident. The main objective was to study socio-demographic profile of road traffic accident cases admitted in tertiary care hospital.

Methods: The present hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in tertiary care hospital of the city in central India. Road traffic accident cases admitted in tertiary care hospital in city during period of one year (20^th May 2014-22^nd May 2015) were included in the study with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Socio-demographic characteristics of study subjects was recorded in the proforma.

Results: It was observed that majority of accident cases (29.67%) were in the age group of 21-30 years. Male: female ratio was found to be 5.38: 1. Majority of accident cases (86%) were from upper lower and lower class. Out of total accident cases majority were drivers (42.33%), followed by passengers (30%) and pedestrians (27.66%). 35.43% drivers were alcohol consumers. It was also observed that 16.33% were under the influence of alcohol at time of accident.

Conclusions: It was also observed that 16.33% were under the influence of alcohol at time of accident.