Factors associated with fatal trauma in Medellín (Colombia) motorcyclists

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Motorcycles have come into widespread use as mode of transport and commuting to work. Given the degree of trauma occurring in motorcycle accidents, this increased use has generated adverse consequences for public health. Categorization of factors associated with these events can form the basis for prevention strategies. OBJECTIVE The characteristics of person, time, place, vehicle and circumstances of occurrence were described for motorcycle accidents involving rider injury, and the associations were explored with fatal trauma in the city of Medellín, Colombia, in 2005-2008. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional case-control retrospective study was conducted based on population data from the Secretaría de Transporte y Tránsito and Secretaría de Salud. Records were analyzed of incidents involving 24,062 injuries and 345 fatalities. The odds ratio statistic (95% CI) was used to detect significant associations between fatalies and characteristics of trauma exposure; adjusted ORs (95% CI) were obtained by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS A strong association emerged between fatal trauma and collision with a fixed object. There is a greater chance of dying at railroad crossings, approaches to intersections or roundabouts, and (in the districts of Robledo, Aranjuez and Guayabal) two lane roads. Males, motorcyclists between 20-30 yrs, between 40 and 49 yrs, and >50 yrs were more likely to die. Motorcycle models prior to 1991, travel in early morning hours, or periods of high vehicular density were additional factors of high association. CONCLUSIONS Because motorcyclists have greater exposure, crashes against fixed objects were much more lethal than in other kinds of events. Although an increased mortality occurred at roundabouts and intersections, a greater mortalities occurred at railroad crossings in the sections of single-rail, double-rail and other configurations.