Economic development and road traffic injuries and fatalities in Thailand: an application of spatial panel data analysis, 2012–2016

Abstract

BackgroundRoad traffic injuries (RTIs) have been one of the most critical public health problems in Thailand for decades. The objective of this study was to examine to what extent provincial economy was associated with RTIs, road traffic deaths and case fatality rate in Thailand.MethodsA secondary data analysis on time-series data was applied. The unit of analysis was a panel of 77 provinces during 2012–2016. Data were obtained from relevant public authorities, including the Ministry of Public Health. Descriptive statistics and econometric models, using negative binomial (NB) regression, negative binomial regression with random-effects (RE) model, and spatial Durbin model (SDM) were employed. The main predictor variable was gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the outcome variables were incidence proportion of RTIs, traffic deaths and case fatality rate. The analysis was adjusted for key covariates.ResultsThe incidence proportion of RTIs rose from 449.0 to 524.9 cases per 100,000 population from 2012 till 2016, whereas the incidence of traffic fatalities fluctuated between 29.7 and 33.2 deaths per 100,000 population. Case fatality rate steadily stood at 0.06–0.07 deaths per victim. RTIs and traffic deaths appeared to be positively correlated with provincial economy in the NB regression and the RE model. In the SDM, a log-Baht increase in GDP per capita (equivalent to a growth of GDP per capita by about 2.7 times) enlarged the incidence proportion of injuries and deaths by about a quarter (23.8–30.7%) with statistical significance. No statistical significance was found in case fatality rate by the SDM. The SDM also presented the best model fitness relative to other models.ConclusionThe incidence proportion of traffic injuries and deaths appeared to rise alongside provincial prosperity. This means that RTIs-preventive measures should be more intensified in economically well-off areas. Furthermore, entrepreneurs and business sectors that gain economic benefit in a particular province should share responsibility in RTIs prevention in the area where their businesses are running. Further studies that explore others determinants of road safety, such as patterns of vehicles used, attitudes and knowledge of motorists, investment in safety measures, and compliance with traffic laws, are recommended.

Factors Affecting of Road Traffic Injuries in the Lower Southern Region of Thailand: A Content Analysis of Road Traffic Investigation Reports, 2006-2019

“…[11] 4. Prehospital trauma care: type of assistance provided, and mode of delivery to hospitals as reported by eyewitnesses, police officers, or rescue terms (First response unit: FR., Basic life support unit: BLS, Advanced life support unit: ALS) 5. Factors influencing the injury: this followed Haddon's matrix system addressing human, vehicle, physical environment, and socio-economic environment factors which influenced likelihood of injury within three phases of influence (pre-event, event, post-event) [10,12,13] In total, 24 road traffic investigation reports were chosen with a total of 25 events because two events were included in the same report.…”

“…Southeast Asia is a particular hot spot for road traffic injury, accounting for 25% of global mortality, or more than 300,000 deaths annually [3] Within this region, Thailand has the highest rate of mortality from road traffic injury, and in 2015 had the second highest rate globally, following Libya, with an estimated fatality rate of around 36.2 per 100,000 population [4]. The incidence of traffic injuries rose from 449.0 per 100,000 in 2012 to 524.9 cases per 100,000 in 2016 [5].…”

Trafi̇k Kazalarinin Zamansal Ve Mekânsal İncelenmesi̇: Eski̇şehi̇r Şehi̇r Örneği̇

“…Although traffic accidents vary according to the development levels of the countries, they cause an average of 3% of the annual gross domestic product and over 3% in some countries (Suphanchaimat, Sornsrivichai, Limwattananon and Thammawijaya, 2019). The annual financial loss in developing countries is approximately 110 billion dollars (Bekele, 2019).…”

“…There are many reasons for traffic accidents to occur: These include driver, road, pedestrian, passenger, environment and vehicle defects (Li, Abdel-Aty, Yuan, Cheng and Lu, 2020;Zhang, Lu and Qu, 2020;Kuşkapan, Alemdar, Kaya and Çodur, 2019;Suphanchaimat et al, 2019;Zou and Vu, 2019;Okafor, Azuike and Okojie, 2017;Dezman, De Andrade, Vissoci, El-Gabri, Johnson, Hirshon and Staton, 2016). Among the defect causing the traffic accidents in Turkey between 2013-2017 years, there are drivers, passenger, pedestrian, road and vehicles (TÜİK, 2020).…”

What are the strongest indicators of intracerebral hemorrhage in mild traumatic brain injury?

“…2 In Thailand the rate of traffic-related injuries has been increasing, from 449.0 per 100 000 population in 2012 to 524.9 in 2016, which may in turn result in similar increases in the incidence of TBI. 3 TBI can be classified into three categories: mild, moderate, or severe. 4 Although mild TBI may result in lower morbidity, it causes cognitive impairment in 51.4% of cases and post-traumatic stress disorder in 18%.…”