PATTERN OF INJURIES AND ASSOCIATION OF RISK FACTORS CAUSING ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL HYDERABAD

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the pattern of injuries in road traffic accidents in Hyderabad and to determine the risk factors associated with the type of injuries.

METHODOLOGY: It was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study. This study was conducted at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, study duration was 06 months. After getting the approval from Research Ethics Committee, the participants fulfilling the selection criteria was approached by the researchers randomly. After their consent a questionnaire was filled by asking face to face questions from the subjects. All the data was entered in SPSS version 27 for analysis. Chi-square tests were applied; p value less than 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS: Among 384 RTA cases, lower limbs (47.4%) were the most commonly affected body region, followed by the upper limbs (21.1%), face (13.2%), and head (10.5%), while the neck, chest, and spine accounted for 2.6% each. In terms of injury types, fractures (39.5%) were the most frequent, followed by lacerations (27.9%), abrasions (25.6%), and contusions (7.0%). The probability of head and facial injuries increased dramatically when helmet use was absent. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between pattern of injuries with road conditions and collision dynamics (p<0.05)

CONCLUSIONS: Type of collision and road type are important risk factors influencing injury patterns. Early identification and intervention strategies targeting these variables can help in reducing accident-related injuries and fatalities.