Road Traffic Accident among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Road traffic accidents are a public health problem and have emerged as the leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Head is the most commonly affected site of road traffic accidents. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of road traffic accidents among patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care centre.
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Emergency Department from 12 January 2022 to 14 June 2022. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: COMSTH-IRC/2021-171). Data was collected using a self-structure questionnaire and from emergency tickets. A convenience sampling method was used. Point prevalence and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated.
 Results: Among 7654 patients, the prevalence of road traffic accidents was found to be 734 (9.58%) (8.49-10.66, 95% Confidence Interval). Most of the accidents took place on Friday 139 (18.94%). The majority of them were soft tissue injuries 279 (38.01%).
 Conclusions: The prevalence of road traffic accidents was found to be higher compared to similar studies done in similar settings. Accident preventive strategies should be focused on and implemented by all the stakeholders.

Black Spot Location Identification for National Highway: A Case Study of Mugling – Kotre Section of Prithivi Highway of Nepal

“…Most published studies on road traffic injuries (RTI) in Nepal are descriptive and hospital-based, suggesting that persons in the age group 20-40 years, males, pedestrians, and motorcyclists are commonly injured (Huang et al, 2017). The major reasons for accidents were high speed of vehicles, steering or brake failure, untrained and intoxicated drivers, driving by cleaner/conductor, continuous long duty hours of drivers, poor condition of the vehicle, muddy and slippery roads, haphazard overtaking practice on single lane roads, lack of concentration of drivers on driving, non-observance of safety measures, traffic rules and signs, drive a vehicle without wearing seat belt/helmet, kept more passengers than allowed/ available seats, hung passengers on gate, backside and roof, loaded cargo beyond the limited weight and height (Kumar Bhagat, 2017;Pradhan et al, 2023).…”