Magnitude and determinants of road traffic accidents in Northern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Epidemiology of road traffic accidents and its associated factors among public transportation in Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Nowadays, Injuries, disabilities, and deaths due to road traffic accidents pose a major threat to public health worldwide. There was no meta-analysis study conducted in this area in Africa, hence the need for the study.

Objectives

This review aimed to assess the pooled prevalence and associated factors of road traffic accidents among public transportation in Africa.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted in Africa according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Using Boolean logic operators and targeted keywords, we searched for publications on several electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, African Journals Online (AJOL), and Science Direct). The degree of heterogeneity among the included studies, the 95% confidence interval, and the pooled prevalence were estimated using a random effects model.

Results

This review included 45 studies with 15,968 participants. The overall estimated pooled prevalence of road traffic accident among public transportation in Africa was found to be 38.83% (95% CI: 33.54, 44.12). Meta-regression analysis indicated that sample size, publication year, country, study design, and sub-region had no significant impact on RTA prevalence. Based on a sub-group analysis by countries where the studies were conducted, the higher pooled prevalence of road traffic accidents was found in Congo at 67.90% (95% CI: 59.99, 75.81), while the lower pooled prevalence of road traffic accidents was in Libya at 15.80% (95% CI: 10.99, 20.61). Driving experience (AOR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.70, 3.34), chewing Khat while driving (AOR = 4.69, CI: 2.80, 7.85), alcohol use (AOR = 2.72, CI: 1.49, 4.97), and receiving mobile phone calls while driving (AOR = 2.37, CI: 1.42, 3.95) were factors significantly associated with road traffic accidents.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the pooled prevalence of road traffic accidents in Africa was found to be high. Therefore, we recommend that drivers have to strictly adhere to traffic regulations Moreover, It is recommended that policymakers and administrators ought to gain awareness of road traffic accidents and its risk factors to put existing road traffic accidents preventive and control measures into action.

Socioeconomic and behavioral factors of road traffic accidents among drivers in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta analysis

BACKGROUND

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a pressing public health issue in Ethiopia, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and motorization. Despite efforts, escalating rates persist due to various factors like human behavior and road infrastructure deficiencies. This study addresses the need for comprehensive data on RTAs in Ethiopia, aiming to uncover socioeconomic and behavioral factors to inform evidence-based policies.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted from March to April 2024, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Major databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library were searched using specific keywords related to RTAs and Ethiopia. Studies conducted between 2014 and 2024 were included, with eligibility criteria. Data extraction followed a standardized Microsoft Excel format. Study quality was assessed using the JBI checklist, with high-quality articles included. Statistical analysis, conducted using STATA version 17, included descriptive analysis, forest plots for RTA prevalence, and examination of publication bias using Egger and Begs tests. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression explored moderating factors and sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

The systematic review identified eight studies meeting inclusion criteria, conducted between 2014 and 2022. RTA prevalence was 36% (95% CI: 23; 49). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the estimated prevalence. Publication bias was detected via Egger's test, though Begg's test was non-significant. Meta-regression found no significant influence of publication year or sample size on RTA prevalence. Socioeconomic factors like income level and driving experience, alongside behavioral factors like traffic rule violations and substance use, were identified as key drivers of RTAs in Ethiopia.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights the significant burden of road traffic accidents in Ethiopia, influenced by socioeconomic and behavioral factors. Socioeconomic factors such as income level and driving experience, along with behavioral factors like traffic rule violations and substance use, emerged as prominent determinants of RTAs. Policymakers should prioritize evidence-based interventions targeting these factors to improve road safety nationwide.

Pattern of Road Traffic Injuries and Their Pre-hospitalization Factors Reported at a Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility and Rural Private Healthcare Facility in Rajasthan, India

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to report the pattern of road traffic injuries (RTIs) and pre-hospitalization factors of road traffic injuries among the accident victims reported at an urban and a rural healthcare facility in the Jaipur district, Rajasthan.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary-level, urban public healthcare facility in Jaipur city and a secondary-level, rural private facility in nearby Chomu town. The study participants were all those who encountered road traffic injury and visited any of these healthcare facilities to seek care. The study tool included information on demographics, type of road user, vehicles, accidents, roads, environment, and other pre-hospitalization factors. Data collectors were nurses trained to collect data using the tablet-based application. Data were analyzed using proportions/percentages. Bivariate analysis was done to assess the significance of differences between categories of factors and between rural and urban facilities.

RESULTS

Among 4,642 cases, 93.8% were enrolled in the urban facility, and the remaining were enrolled in the rural facility. Predominantly, males (83.9%) and young adults 18-34 years (58.9%) were reported in both study facilities. Among the accident victims reported at the urban facility, major groups were educated up to the primary level (25.1%) or graduate level (21.9%). About 60% of them were drivers. Most of these injuries occurred on urban roads (50.2%) or two-lane roads (42%). About three-fourths of the injured were using two-wheeler geared vehicles, and 46.7% were overtaking or turning the vehicle when the accident happened. The majority of cases (61.6%) did not require hospitalization. Among the rural facility participants, 27.2% were graduates, and 24.7% were below primary education. Most of these injuries happened on the national highway (35.8%) or rural roads (33.3%). Most of them used two-wheeler geared (80.1%) at the time of the accident. Most were injured while doing normal straight driving (80.5%). Most participants (80.1%) in the rural facility did not follow the traffic rules, and 43.9% required hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Young males were the most affected age group by road traffic injuries. Differential patterns of road traffic injuries and pre-hospital factors were observed in urban and rural areas.

The epidemiology of road traffic accidents and associated factors among drivers in Dilla Town, Southern Ethiopia

Background

Data on the magnitude of road traffic accidents (RTAs) were mostly obtained through police records and hospital registration data. However, insufficient data reporting masked the gravity of the problem, and little attention was paid to the magnitude and correlation of road traffic accidents from the driver's perspective. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of RTA and related factors among drivers.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study involving 316 drivers was conducted in Southern Ethiopia. The participants were chosen using a systematic random sample technique, and the data were obtained using an interview-administered structured questionnaire. To analyze the data, SPSS software (version 20) was employed. In addition to descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression analysis was also employed to find factors connected to traffic accidents. RTA factors were considered statistically significant if they had a P-value of 0.05 or below in the multivariate analysis.

Result

The RTA among drivers was 126 (39.9%) (95% confidence interval (CI): 34.2-45.6%) in the previous year. The following factors were associated with RTA: vehicle maintenance (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.96), media utilization (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.65), participation in driving-related training (AOR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.91), punishment for prior traffic violations (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.83), and risky driving behavior (AOR = 7.89, 95% CI: 3.22, 12.38).

Conclusion

Two-fifths of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. Risky driving behaviors, vehicle maintenance, media usage, attending driving-related training in the previous 2 years, and prior experience with traffic police punishment or warning were all strongly linked to road traffic accidents. In light of these statistics, the Federal Ministry of Transport of Ethiopia and other stakeholders should support making it mandatory for drivers to check their vehicles' safety, provide them with safety training, raise awareness about vehicle maintenance and risky driving behaviors, and enforce strict penalties for traffic violations.

The effect of 'THE MOTOR VEHICLES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2019' on the clinico-epidemiological profile of road traffic accident patients presenting to a tertiary care trauma centre in Bhubaneswar

CONTEXT

Road traffic accidents (RTA) are a foremost rising cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries like India. The Government of India enacted a new motor vehicle amendment act (MVA) on September 1st 2019 that permits heavy penalties for traffic rule offenders.

AIMS

To find out the early impact of "THE MOTOR VEHICLES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2019".

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A retrospective observational study was performed during the time period July to October 2019 on RTA patients admitted to the Trauma and Emergency department.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients studied in two groups - One Pre MVA group (n = 371) and one Post MVA group (n = 415). The data were extracted from medical case records of the department and filled up in a structured format. Detailed demographic profile, including the use of safety measure and clinical variables such as the pattern of injury and injury severity scores, were recorded.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Statistical analysis was done by R version 3.6.1.

RESULTS

There is a 41% drop in RTA victims post MVA implementation. Polytrauma reduced (25% vs 45.5%) significantly (P = 0.002) and so was Injury severity score (6.00 vs 13.00). More RTA victims were wearing helmets as compared to previous (42% vs 18%), and there was a steep decline in the alcohol driving (25% vs 10%) between the pre and post MVA group. A significant reduction noted in the under 18 yrs. Two-wheeler riders in the post MVA group compared to earlier (P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

The study reveals that there is a commendable reduction in the injury severity, violation of safety gears, alcohol use and rash driving following the implementation of MVA September 2019. Primary care and family physician can play a crucial role in creating public awareness about the personal safety measures, which will help in strengthening of this law to reduce the incidence of RTA and the associated mortality and morbidity.