Distribution and Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Road Traffic Crashes in West Bank
Date
2013-05-20
Authors
Mohammed Awad, Omar Abu-Zaydeh
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Background:
Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. RTCs take approximately 1.2 million lives per year, 86% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. 20-50 million people are seriously injured each year.
Objective:
To investigate the distribution and factors associated with the occurrence of road traffic crashes in the West Bank (Septemper2009- September2012).
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included all RTCs recorded by the MoH in West Bank over the period (Septemper2009- September2012) which are equal to 24756 cases. The study based on the database of MoH for RTC that was collected upon an information sheet filled by the doctors in the hospitals who are responsible for the management of the cases. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics and correlation through SPSS16.
Results:
There were 24756 cases of injuries due to RTCs over the period (Septemper2009- September2012) including 134 deaths, 74.4% of injured people were males. The mean age was 27.2 years and the majority of RTCs (52.3%) were observed to occur between the age group 18-45 years. North West Bank had the highest percentage of RTCs (48.4%).RTCs was varied between months, with the highest to be reported in each of July (10.03%), August (10.21%), and September (11.06%) respectively. Passengers travelling in a vehicle with four wheels were observed to have the highest percentage of injuries due to RTCs (44.8%). Most of the deaths was observed among persons who reported to have a head injury (n=52, 38.80%). Significant associations were observed between the occurrence of road traffic crashes with age (=7.25, P-value=0.027) and district (=20.80, P-value < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
The study revealed that there were low rates of injuries and death in the West Bank during the mentioned period comparing to the other countries in the region but it’s higher in comparison with many global countries. There were high death rates among pedestrian comparing to other mode of transportation. Significant increase in the rates of injuries and death was noticed during the month of Ramadan.