Risk Factors Associated with Road Traffic Accidents in People who are Admitted to the Accident Service in National Hospital Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: Road traffic accident (RTA) is defined as “collision or incident that may or may not to lead injury, occurring on a public road and involving at least one moving vehicle”. Victims of road traffic accidents, lose their lives on the road every day and many more left with disabilities or emotional scars that they will carry for the rest of their lives. RTA represents significant causes of morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. Assessment of the risk factors associated with road traffic accidents is vital to prevent RTA. Objectives: To assess the risk factors associated with road traffic accidents in people who are admitted to the accident service in National Hospital Sri Lanka (NHSL). Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among sample of randomly selected 267 victims of road traffic accidents using interviewer administered pre tested questionnaire. Results and conclusions: Majority of the victims were males (85.4%), belong to 13- 30 age group (48.9%). Common vehicle types used by the victims were motorbikes (44.6%), three wheelers (34.8%), vans (10.1%). Most of the victims were drivers (76.9%) and they reported that the speed of the vehicle when the time of accident were of 61 kmph- 80 kmph (33.3%) and 81 kmph- 100 kmph (33.4%). More than half of the accidents occurred in mild traffic conditions (57.7%) and dark light condition (52.1%). Most of the victims obeyed to the road traffic rules and regulations such as wearing helmets (94%), Seat belt use (93.6%), avoid phone use while driving (85.8%), not driving under the influence of alcohol (85%). Risk factors for road traffic accidents were high speed, driving motorbikes, three-wheelers and poor environment conditions such as dark light conditions.