Surveillance of Road Accidents in Bouake, Ivory Coast, 2018: Hospital Prevalence and Seriousness Factors

Abstract

Our study aims to determine the factors associated with the severity of road accidents in Bouake. We carried out a cross-sectional and analytical study, using road accident surveillance data, from January 1 to December 31, 2018. The prevalence of accidents was 44.38/10,000 inhabitants. The victims were between 15-34 years old (57.8%), male (77.3%), pupils and students (16.1%), pedestrians (20.57%). The motorbike was the main means of transport for the victims (69.21%). The accidents involved two motorcycles (25.8%), a motorcycle and a car (23.84%), a motorcycle and a pedestrian (18.55%). About half (48.92%) of the accidents occurred in 4 neighborhoods. The peaks of accidents were observed in April-May (16.54%) and December-January (20.78%); Thursdays (16.33%), Saturdays (16.89%) and Sundays (15.01%); and between 12 p.m.-12 a.m. The victims were machine operators (49.13%), passengers (29.40%), or pedestrians (20.57%). Emergency evacuations were done by ambulance (47.53%), and within the first 3 hours (96.21%). Fractures and head trauma were observed in 26.27% of the victims. The lesions were on the limbs (64.07%). Factors associated with the severity of the accidents during the accident (0.000); time of accident. There is a linear relationship between the time and the severity of the accident; the type of means of transport used: personal motorcycles (P=0.000), motorcycle taxis (P=0.000). Conclusion: Knowledge of the associated factors could contribute to reducing the prevalence of this new epidemic.