Magnitude of road traffic accident related injuries and fatalities in Ethiopia

Abegaz, Teferi; Gebremedhin, Samson · 2019 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202240

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Summary

This study addresses the lack of epidemiological evidence regarding road traffic accidents (RTAs) in Ethiopia, a low- and middle-income country facing a significant road safety crisis. Motivated by the disproportionate burden of RTAs in developing nations and the potential underestimation of these incidents in official reports, the research aims to determine the magnitude of RTA-related injuries and fatalities using nationally representative data. The findings are intended to inform public health decision-makers and support the evaluation of ongoing interventions aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. The researchers conducted a secondary data analysis of the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). The survey utilized a stratified two-stage cluster sampling design to select 16,650 households across nine regions and two city administrations, enumerating 75,271 household members. Data collection occurred between January and June 2016, capturing information on injuries and accidents, including RTAs, experienced by household members in the preceding 12 months. The analysis employed weighted data to account for the complex sampling design and calculated rates per 100,000 population and per 100,000 motor vehicles. Bivariable binary logistic regression was used to assess associations between RTAs and socio-demographic factors such as age, sex, place of residence, and household wealth. The results indicate that 123 RTA-related causalities occurred in the reference period, yielding an injury rate of 163 (95% CI: 136–195) per 100,000 population and a fatality rate of 37 (95% CI: 25–54) per 100,000 population. When adjusted for motor vehicle density, the rates were 21,681 injuries and 4,922 fatalities per 100,000 vehicles. RTAs accounted for 22.8% of all accidents and injuries and 43.8% of all accident-related fatalities. Among victims, 36.0% were vulnerable road users (motorcyclists, pedestrians, cyclists), while 35.0% were passenger vehicle occupants and 21.9% were drivers. Approximately half (47.1%) of the casualties were young adults aged 15–29, and 65.0% were male. Statistical analysis revealed that urban residents had 2.5 times the odds of RTAs compared to rural residents, males had nearly twice the odds compared to females, and individuals from wealthier households faced significantly higher risks. The study concludes that RTA-related causalities are extremely high in Ethiopia, with young adult males and vulnerable road users at increased risk. The findings highlight that RTAs constitute a major public health challenge, contributing significantly to mortality and morbidity among the economically active population. The authors emphasize the urgent need to prioritize road safety in Ethiopia’s public health agenda to mitigate this preventable burden.

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Topics

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• demographic disparities
• incidence prevalence
• comparative international
• fatality injury trends
• vru crash typology

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes, observational prevalence