Analysis of patients admitted with history of road traffic accidents to surgical unit B Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) is a leading cause of morbidity, mortalityand disability in Sri Lanka. Identification of factors associated with RTA in local settings is essential in redusing the burden of this condition Methods We analyzed consecutive patients admitted with RTA toSurgical Unit-B,Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura from 01/10/ 2012 to 31/03/2013. Epidemiology, injury pattern, vehicle type, cause for accident and contributory factors were noted. Results Altogether, 214 consecutive patients with an age range of 01-75 years were studied. Males accounted for 77.6%(n=166) of the study sample.. Vehicle type involved with the injury included, motorcycle 138(65%), bicycles 23(11%), three wheelers 23(11%), tractors 11(5%), buses 5(2%), lorries 6(3%), cars 2(1%) and other3(1%). There were 135(64%) drivers /riders, 59(28%) passengers and 17(08%)pedestrians.Causes for accidents included wrong driving/riding 54(25%), other vehicle collided 46(22%), animal crossing road 39(18%), mechanical failure 14(7%), poor road 18(9%), glare 4(2%), man crossing road 8(4%), garment trapping the wheel 5(2%), rain 6(3%). Contributory factors included alcohol use in 32%, no helmet 39% of riders, no driving license for 47% in recorded cases. There were 33 fractures, 2 intracranial hemorrhages. Conclusion Majority of RTA involved motor bicycles. Lack of driving license for 47% of rider/drivers itself explain wrong driving/ridding to be the main cause for accidents. Alcohol is a major contributory factor for RTA in this population.