Understanding the factors of road crash severity in Benin: a matched case-control study

Daddah, Donatien; Ahanhanzo, Yolaine Glèlè; Kpozéhouen, Alphonse; Dos-Santos, Bella Hounkpe; Bonnet, Emmanuel; Lévêque, Alain; Coppieters, Yves · 2023 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2023.2313

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Summary

This study addresses the lack of reliable, comprehensive data on road crash severity in Benin, where existing policies rely on police statistics that often underestimate injury severity and lack detailed risk factor analysis. The research aimed to identify specific factors influencing the severity of injuries following road crashes to inform more effective road safety interventions. The researchers conducted a nested case-control study matched for age and sex, utilizing data from the “TraumAR Cohort.” This cohort consisted of road crash victims admitted to five hospitals in Benin between July 2019 and January 2020. Injury severity was determined using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), with cases defined as patients with severe injuries (AIS ≥3) and controls as those with non-severe injuries. A total of 199 cases were matched with 398 controls. Data were collected via electronic questionnaires and medical records, covering socio-demographic, behavioral, environmental, and vehicle-related variables. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression to identify independent risk factors. The results indicated that socio-demographic variables, behavioral factors (such as alcohol use, smoking, or distraction), and history of chronic disease were not significantly associated with injury severity. However, three environmental and contextual factors were significantly associated with severe injuries. Crashes occurring at night, specifically between 8 p.m. and midnight, had an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 2.1 (95% CI: 1.4–3.2). Crashes on major roads, including national interstate and national roads, showed an AOR of 2.8 (95% CI: 2.0–4.0). Additionally, non-work-related travel was associated with an AOR of 1.8 (95% CI: 1.2–2.7). The study also noted that patients admitted to hospitals in Porto-Novo and Parakou were more likely to have sustained severe injuries compared to those in Cotonou. The findings suggest that road crash severity in Benin is strongly linked to time of day, road type, and travel purpose rather than individual behavioral risks like alcohol consumption. The authors conclude that improving public lighting, particularly along main roads, and raising user awareness regarding traffic rule compliance could help reduce serious injuries. These results highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing environmental hazards and nighttime driving conditions, challenging the reliance on police data and emphasizing the value of hospital-based injury surveillance for developing accurate road safety policies in low-income settings.

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Topics

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• demographic disparities
• comparative international
• fatality injury trends
• incidence prevalence

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes