Epidemiological Characteristics of Traffic and Non-traffic Injuries and Quality of Emergency Medical Services in Southern Thailand

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to report the situation of injuries and emergency medical services in southern Thailand.Material and Methods: Data from the Injury Surveillance system of a Level 1 Trauma Center Hospital in lower southern Thailand during 2012-2016 were extracted. Trends in epidemiological characteristics of both traffic and non-traffic injuries and emergency medical services were described. Logistic regression was used for the analysis.Results: The number of patients admitted to emergency departments due to traffic and non-traffic injuries was stable over the five-year period (n=102, 840). Traffic injuries involving motorcycles and falls were the two leading causes of injury. Most were adults aged 19-60 years (62.5%). The most common risky behaviors were driving a motor vehicle without wearing a seatbelt (81.9%) and riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet (71.7%). Alcohol and drug use were relatively low but significantly increased the odds of sustaining a severe/critical injury. Significant predictors of severe/ critical non-traffic injury included drowning [odds ratio (OR)=29.7, 95% confidence interval (CI)=11.9-74.7], self-harm/ suicide (OR=12.6, 95% CI=9.2-17.3), and bites/stings from poisonous animals (OR=8.1, 95% CI=6.1-10.8). The use of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was low but increased over time. The main challenge was delivering appropriate EMS for different levels of injury. The percentage of health care staff who performed advanced life support appropriately for critically injured patients ranged from 95.5% to 100.0% while for severely injured patients, ranged from 93.9% to 100.0%.Conclusion: Traffic and non-traffic injuries were high and the use of EMS was still low in southern Thailand.