Road traffic injury among pedestrians: an emerging research focus in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Road traffic accidents (RTA) are responsible for greatest number of injuries and fatalities world wide by killing around 1.2 million people each year and injuring 50 million. Pedestrians are the most common victims of RTAs.Objectives: This study has been done to find out the epidemiological factors, socio demographic characteristics and the clinical injury pattern among pedestrians injured by Road Traffic Accidents in Dhaka City.Materials & Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study done from December 2015 to September 2016 at three tertiary level referral hospital in Dhaka. One hundred fifty two (pedestrians) were selected purposively as research sample with 95% confidence level and 5% confidence interval. The primary data was collected from the patients who were discharged from hospital by face to face exit interview using a semi-structured questionnaire.Results: Among 152 pedestrian victims interviewed; 88(58%) were male. Maximum accidents occurred at daytime 63 (41.45 %), and on city main roads 68 (44 %). Highest number of accidents were caused by buses 44 (36.09 %) and highest incidence of RTA 60(39.47%) was observed among the age group 21 to 30 yrs. Most of the victims 129( 84.85%) were knocked down by the vehicles while crossing the roads (hit and run injury), 114(75.00%) were from earning group below 15,000 taka per month, 121(79.61%) never use foot over bridge, 78(51.32)% were using mobile phone while crossing the road. 152(100%) victims had multiple abrasion and bruise, 94(61.84%) had lacerations, 64(42.10%) had fracture of upper limb bones, 53(34.87%) had fracture of lower limb bones and 53(34.87%) had haematoma in soft tissue over skull.Conclusion: Road accident and its severity can be prevented by strict application of traffic rules , motivation of public and proper training of drivers.KYAMC Journal Vol. 9, No.-1, April 2018, Page 11-15