Epidemiological Study of Road Traffic Accident Cases Admitted in a Tertiary Care Centre of Uttar Pradesh, India: A Hospital Based Cross Sectional Approach

Aim: This study highlights a sociodemographic profile of road traffic accident (RTA) cases and to know the type of road users and the counterpart involved in the road traffic accidents.

Introduction: Spectacular advances in health and health related sciences has brought down the morbidity and mortality due to communicable diseases and has resulted in longevity of people. Worldwide about 1.3 million people die each year as a result of road traffic accidents and are the leading cause of death among young people, aged 15–29 years. Nearly half (46%) of those dying on the world’s roads are vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclist.

Methodology: A hospital based cross-sectional study, conducted at Emergency Department& Hospital of S.N Medical College, Agra. By using systematic sampling technique, a total of 425 RTA cases were registered for the study. Cases or their attendant were interviewed based on a semi structured questionnaire.

Results: Out of 425 RTA cases majority were Hindus (90.6%), males (89.6%), from urban areas (72%), married (65.8%) and illiterate (62.8%). Maximum belonged to 16-30 years age group (40.0%) and laborers (42.3%) while mostly (82.8%) were from upper- lower social class. There are a substantial proportion of RTA victims who were injured while walking or riding pedal cycles. Maximum (33.2%) cases were hit by two wheelers, followed by those who were hit by LMV (22.8%). A little less than 20% of the cases were not hit by any motorized vehicle.

Conclusion: Majority of the RTA cases are in the economically productive age group and are married, hence their hospitalization or disability places a huge economic burden on the family.