Distribution and factors associated with the occurrence of road traffic collisions in the West Bank: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundRoad traffic collisions are of major concern to public health, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. Despite increases in number of casualties from road traffic collisions in the West Bank, little attention has been devoted to its research. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and associated factors related to road traffic collisions in the West Bank in a 3 year period. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included all causalities from road traffic collisions that reported to the Palestinian Ministry of Health (PMoH). Information sheets for casualties from road traffic collisions are expected to be completed by doctors in West Bank hospitals providing clinical care. Once a week, this information is transferred from hospitals to the road traffic collisions unit at the PMOH. With SPSS version 16, we checked data completeness and quality before analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from the An Najah National University and permission for data use was obtained from the PMOH for this study. FindingsFrom Sept 1, 2009 to Sept 30, 2012, 24 756 casualties from road traffic collisions were reported to the PMOH, including 134 deaths. Injures were mainly in men (18 413 casualties, 74·4%; p=0·064) and among the age group of 18–45 years (12 939 casualties, 52·3%; p=0·027). The north West Bank was reported to have the highest percentage of road traffic collisions with 11 980 (48·4%; p<0·0001) during 2009–12. The number of casualties varied by month; highest numbers were in September (2737, 11·1%), August (2528, 10·2%), and July (2483, 10·0%) compared to other months in the study (p=0·01), and seemed to be related to Ramadan. Passengers travelling in a vehicle with four wheels accounted for the highest proportion of injuries (11 078 [44·8%]), significantly more than drivers of vehicles with four wheels, drivers or passengers of vehicles with two or three wheels, or pedestrians (combined, p<0·0001). Head injury was the most frequent cause of death among causalities, resulting in 52 deaths (39%; upper part vs lower part of the body, head vs upper part of the body, head vs lower part of the body, upper vs lower part of the body, p<0·0001). InterpretationOur results suggest a high burden of injuries in the West Bank from road traffic collisions. Limitations of these public health data included lack of information about seat belt use and mode of transportation (including only pedestrian, occupant, and driver (to include only choices of pedestrian, occupant [of vehicle], and driver). We recommend changes to the present method to better assess for factors and activities associated with injuries from road traffic collisions to improve future public health policies and regulations. Furthermore, we recommend connection of the two present reporting systems (Palestinian police and the PMOH) to obtain a more precise understanding of the situation of road traffic collisions in the West Bank. FundingPartial funding from An-Najah National University.