Abstract
BackgroundThe Kampala Metropolitan Area (KMA) is the fastest developing region in Uganda. Over recent years, this has placed exponential demand on the road sector, which consequently has contributed to rapid growth in motorized vehicles which, predisposes the region to a high risk of road traffic incidents (RTIs). A number of concerted road safety and post-crash management measures to respond to RTIs in the KMA in particular and Uganda as a whole have been undertaken. However, there is a need to greatly improve the measures by better identifying the factors influencing the exposure, vulnerability and emergency medical service (EMS) capacity for RTI victims. The present study seeks to investigate and reveal these factors.MethodsA Delphi technique employing a questionnaire and involving a multidisciplinary panel of experts was used in three rounds.ResultsThe ten (10) most important factors affecting the exposure, vulnerability and EMS capacity for victims of RTIs in the KMA were identified. Socio-cultural, infrastructure and road safety aspects were the factors most identified as affecting the exposure and vulnerability. The absence of a national EMS policy and post-crash care system, as well as the fact that many victims lack health insurance, were noted to be the factors adversely affecting the EMS capacity.ConclusionsThere exists is a real need to substantially reduce the burden of RTIs in KMA, with ultimate goal of saving lives that are being lost needlessly and reducing the impact of injuries and trauma and the economic losses associated with it. This study offers insights into the causes of RTIs and the most appropriate ways of responding to them especially with the establishment and empowerment of predefined and structured EMS systems.
Highlights
The Kampala Metropolitan Area (KMA) is the fastest developing region in Uganda
Round one: In this survey, varying responses and opinions (Table 2) concerning the factors affecting E, V and C for victims of road traffic incidents (RTIs) in the KMA were given by 16 experts who initially participated in the Delphi round one between the months of August and September, 2015
Round two: From all the factors that were given in the first round to have affected E, V and C for victims of RTIs in the KMA, the ten most rated factors (Table 3) were chosen between October and November 2015
Summary
The Kampala Metropolitan Area (KMA) is the fastest developing region in Uganda Over recent years, this has placed exponential demand on the road sector, which has contributed to rapid growth in motorized vehicles which, predisposes the region to a high risk of road traffic incidents (RTIs). Roads from the KMA interconnect with other regions in Uganda (East, West and North) and facilitate international traffic that flows to and from the following neighboring countries: − Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania.
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