Abstract
Introduction: Mortality and morbidity due to Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) is a major problem in Sri Lanka. Death toll in 2017 was 3101 and there were 8144 critical accidents. Motor cycle has been the commonest vehicle type involved. Objective: To describe the injuries and identify causes of injury in RTAs presented to a general hospital in a semi urban region in Sri Lanka. Method: We prospectively analyzed all the patients admitted with a history of RTA to a surgical unit at District General Hospital Polonnaruwa, in North Central Province of Sri Lanka from 01/02/2017 for a 3 months period. Results: There were 199 patients in the sample with 146 (74%) being male. 118(59%) were drivers/riders, 70(35%) passengers and 11(06%) pedestrians. Commonest vehicle involved was motor cycle 152(78%).Commonest body area involved was limbs 126(67%) followed by head 89(48%) and face 57(31%). 22 of 84 driver patients (30%) did not have a valid driving license and 26(22%) of 126 driver/pillion rider of motorcycles had not been wearing a helmet at the time. There was evidence for alcohol involvement in 37(18.6%) injured patients. Conclusion:The findings indicate many of the injuries due to RTAs are preventable by taking appropriate action.
Highlights
Mortality and morbidity due to Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) is a major problem in Sri Lanka
The findings indicate many of the injuries due to RTAs are preventable by taking appropriate action
To describe the injuries and identify causes of injury in RTAs in a semi urban regional area in North Central Province of Sri Lanka to plan a strategy to prevent road traffic accidents, Method: We prospectively analyzed all the patients admitted with a history of RTA history to a single surgical unit at District General Hospital, Polonnaruwa, in North Central Province of Sri Lanka from 01/02/2017 for 3 months
Summary
Mortality and morbidity due to Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) is a major problem in Sri Lanka. 2, 3, 4, 5 Senior House Officer in surgery, General Hospital, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka pitals.[2] If present trends continue, road traffic injuries are predicted to be the third-leading contributor to the global burden of disease and injury by 2020.3. It is estimated that approximately 2300 people died in 2005 in Sri Lanka due to road traffic crashes, approximately 300,000 were injured in non-fatal crashes and approximately 140,000 received care for their injuries at hospitals. According to statistics of Sri Lanka ministry of transport and civil aviation RTA death in 2017 is 3101, fatal accidents 2924 and critical accidents 8144. According to Sri Lanka police, motor cycle/motored is the vehicle type involved in highest number of accidents in past years.[4, 5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
