EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN TERTIARY CARE SETUPS OF LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Background and Objectives: Road traffic accidents (RTAs), a soaring and lethal epidemic will rise as the 7th highest cause of death globally by 2030, with around 20 to 50 million injuries and 1.24 million deaths per year worldwide. Pakistan a developing country with 60% of youth population loses an average of 5 of them daily to this deadly yet preventable cause. Objectives of this study is to assess the time, place and person distribution of road traffic accidents in selected tertiary care setups of Lahore. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out within four months in tertiary care setups; Mayo, Jinnah and Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. Interviews of 252 patients presenting to the emergency with road traffic accidents were conducted using a pretested questionnaire. Consents of patients, institutions and review board were taken. Results: Male predominance; 191 (75.8%). Majority accidents took place during 12pm to 12am commonest on main roads 194 (77%), motorbike with motorbike 70.5 (28.8%) and motorbike with car 70.3 (27.9%) as the most common entities. Strong association (p ≤ 0.05) between mode of transport and time interval between accident and arrival to emergency with nature of collision resulting in permanent disability (p = 0.01) was observed. Lacerations 70 (27.8%) being commonest injury. Although 168 (66.7%) participants were aware of road safety measure, few used safety gear something that merits change. Conclusion: RTAs contribute majorly to morbidity and mortality at tertiary care hospitals. Majority accidents attributed to two wheelers, head on collisions occurring at night time on main roads. Implementation of strict legislative measures, proper certification of driving licenses, better emergency facileties are recommended.