"Epidemiological, Characteristics and Outcomes of Road Traffic Accident Among Patients in Emergency Units"

Hussein Alogaili, Ahmed Abdulhasan · 2021 · Crossref

DOI: 10.26717/bjstr.2021.38.006173

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Summary

This retrospective cross-sectional study investigates the epidemiological characteristics, injury patterns, and outcomes of road traffic accidents (RTAs) in Iraq. Motivated by the high mortality rates associated with RTAs in developing countries and the failure to meet global sustainable development goals for reducing accident deaths, the research aims to provide data useful for clinicians, forensic pathologists, and safety engineers. The study analyzed data from 198,471 patients with road traffic injuries registered across 15 provinces in Iraq between January and December 2020. The methodology involved collecting data on patient demographics, cause and location of injury, injury type, and clinical outcomes. Injury severity was assessed using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and Glasgow Coma Scale. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, were performed using SPSS and Epi Info software. The study categorized injuries into soft-tissue injuries, fractures, and organ injuries, while also recording vehicle types and patient occupation and marital status. The results indicate that males comprised 70.2% of victims, with the age group of 15–44 years being the most affected (54.7%), followed by those aged 5–14 years (20.8%). Most victims were unemployed (61.2%) and married (65%). Cars were the most common vehicle involved in accidents (32.9%), followed by motorcycles (25.7%), minibuses (16.1%), and lorries (15.3%). Head and neck injuries were the most frequent (39.4%), with skull fractures occurring in 22.4% of cases. Other common injuries included abdominal (16.6%) and upper extremity (16.2%) trauma. Regarding outcomes, 39.4% of patients died, with 30.9% dying instantly and 69.1% dying after hospitalization. Among those who died in the hospital, 21.8% succumbed within 24 hours. The majority of patients had serious but not life-threatening injuries (AIS 3, 32.8%), while 32.8% recovered and were discharged. The study concludes that young males, particularly those involved in car accidents, face the highest risk of morbidity and mortality. The high prevalence of head injuries and early mortality highlights the critical need for improved pre-hospital care and urgent neurosurgical intervention. The authors recommend enhanced driver training, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved road infrastructure, and the promotion of safety devices like seat belts and helmets. These findings underscore the significant social and economic burden of RTAs in Iraq and provide evidence for policy-making aimed at reducing traffic-related deaths and disabilities.

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Topics

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

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes