Epidemiological Study of Road Accident Cases Admitted in A Tertiary Care Hospital Bangalore, India
Abstract
National Crime Records Beuro (NCRB) reports that more than 135,000 traffic collisionrelated deaths occur in India every year, which is highest in world. So this study was conducted aimed to study the epidemiology of accidentaly injured cases. So it may help in suggesting some clues about such a high prevalence of death due to road accidents in India. A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out on 199 accidental injured cases admitted in Apollo Hospital Bangalore India. General information regarding socio-demographic data and variables related to accidents were recorded. These data collected were analyzed and inferred with Chi-square test of significance. It was found out that maximum (51.26%) accidental injured admitted cases 20-40 years of age group with male predominance (M:F=3.26). Majority of accidents occurred in night and peak office hours. Majority of victims were two wheeler users and hitting vehicle was bus in majority of cases. Speed of vehicle, alcohol consumption and not using safty devices increases the accidents. So much more precaution to be taken at peak hours and sensitization about traffic rules should be taken care of.
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Introduction
National Crime Records Beuro (NCRB) reports that more than 135,000 traffic collision-related deaths occur in India every year, which is highest in world.1 World Health Organization also has revealed in its first ever Global Status Report on Road Safety that more people die in road accidents in India than anywhere else in the world, including the more populous China. At least 13 people die every hour in road accidents in the country, the latest report of the National Crime Records Bureau reveals. Road deaths in India registered a sharp 6.1% rise between 2006 and 2007. Calling road fatalities an "epidemic" that will become the world's fifth biggest killer by 2030.2
Another published report reveals that in New Delhi, the capital of India, the frequency of traffic collisions is 40 times higher than the rate in London, the capital of the United Kingdom. 3 NCRB report revealed that in India, Andhra Pradesh having the highest share of deaths due to road accidents (12%) followed by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh (11% each).2 And actual number of casualties may be higher than what is documented, as many traffic accidents go unreported and moreover, victims who die some time after the accident, a span of time which may vary from a few hours to several days, are not counted as car accident victims. 1
Conclusion
It was found out that maximum accidental injured admitted cases were in 20-40 years of age group with male predominance. Majority of accidents occurred in night and peak office hours. Majority of victims were two wheeler users and hitting vehicle was bus in majority of cases. Speed of vehicle, alcohol consumption and not using safety devices increases the accidents. A group of Indian Researchers have developed a low-cost device which prevents automobile drivers from receiving or making cell phone calls when at wheel, but allows calls to other passengers in the vehicle.7 That type of devices may be used.