Road traffic accidents in Eastern Sri Lanka: An analysis of admissions and outcome

Objective: To study selected aspects of aetiological factors, type of injuries and treatments of road traffic accidents (RTA) in a single surgical unit at theTeaching Hospital, Batticaloa.

Methods: Data were collected using an interviewer based questionnaire from 1st April to 31st June 2011 and data were analyzed using the SPSS analytical package.

Results:Males aged 19-40 yrs are mostly vulnerable to RTAs which are common in urban areas. Drivers (45 %) and passengers (42%) are common victims. Driving under the influence of alcohol (25%), without a license (17%), without wearing helmets (22%), helmet belts (17%) or helmets regularly (35%) are the main contributing factors to RTAs. Motor bike (71%) accidents are common as are head (69%) and limb injuries (72%). Closed fractures (42%) and long bone displaced fractures (75%) are common among limb fractures. Lower limb injuries (69%) are commoner than upper limb injuries (57%). Most were managed without operation. The personal characteristics of victims are significantly associated with incidence and poorer outcome of road traffic injuries (P<0.05). Associated co-morbid disease and drug therapy significantly influence outcome and treatment of injury respectively (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Most victims of RTAs were young, male adults in urban areas. The commonest victims are motor bike riders. The personal characteristics of victims are important contributors to an RTA. Head and limb injuries are the commonest injuries.

Key words: Road traffic injuries; Lifestyle; Victims.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljs.v29i2.3945  

SLJS 2011; 29(2): 72-76