Epidemiological determinants of road traffic accidents in a largely rural hilly population

Abstract

Background: Although Himachal Pradesh contributes less in terms of total number of road traffic accidents (RTAs), the RTA is of huge concern in terms of accident rate per thousand vehicles registered in this Hill state. In terms of death due to RTA/100,000 population Himachal Pradesh ranks in top ten states while in terms of number of persons killed/10,000 vehicle Himachal Pradesh ranks fourth. In view of these facts, it was planned to identify the epidemiological determinants (in terms of person, place, and time) of RTA in a largely rural and hilly population. Material and Methods: The study was conducted among patients of RTAs of all age groups, presenting to a tertiary care center in a rural area of Himachal Pradesh between 2014 and 2015. The epidemiological determinants were identified after collecting information on a structured per forma specially designed for the purpose. Results: A total of 313 patients of RTA were included in the study. The epidemiological determinants were classified as person, place, and time profiles. Under each profile-specific determinants were analyzed. Age, sex, occupation, day, and time of the accident were identified as important determinants. Conclusion: Despite contributing less to the total RTA burden across India, Himachal Pradesh is fast emerging as a state with far reaching consequences of increase in vehicular traffic.

Keywords

• determinants
• epidemiological
• hilly
• road traffic accidents
• rural