The Occurrence and Determinants of Motor Vehicle Injuries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
1989-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Thi s is a study of hospital treated motor vehicle injuries
occurring in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Injuries are described in
terms of their circumstance, type, and consequence. Drivers
causing injury and their vehicles were compared with randomly
selected control drivers in order to identify important driver
and vehicle determinants of injury. The investigation was
carried out between August 21, 1988 and November 12, 1988.
During the twelve week period of study, 1050 hospital
treated injuries were identified, for an overall incidence
density of 279.4 per 100, 000 person years . The mortality rate
was 17.6 per 100,000 population per year and these fatalities
accounted for an estimated 11,154 years of potential life lost
before age 65. The annual vehicle inflicted in j ury incidence
density rate was 94.6 injuries per 1,000 cars registered.
The majori ty (90.6%) of the inj ured were pedestrians and
48.9% were between 11 and 30 years of age. The commonest body
parts affected was multiple parts (43.6%), the extremities
(26.5%) and the head (22 .0% ). The most frequent type of injuries
were lacerati ons (42 .1. %) and fractures (14. 9%).
Driver characteristics placing an individual at increased
risk of inflicting injury were male gender, under age 25 with
less than 5 years driving expe riences, and being privately
employed with a taxi or small bus drivers licence. Elevated
risks were also found for the following motor vehicle
v
characteristics; buses , taxis, private ownership, and less than 5
years on the road.
the prediction of
Based upon a multiple regression ana l ys is for
motor ve hi cle in juries, the most important
predi ctions in order of their strength of assoc iation were found
to be; motor vehicle age, drivers age, drivers gender and moto r
vehicle type.
This study has documented the high motor vehicle morbidity
and mortality rates occurring,
male populati on of Addis Ababa .
in particular, among the young
Several d rive r and vehicle
determinants of this important public hea lth problem have been
identified,and recommend ations have been g iven for the planning
of future preventive programs, safegurding and educating the road
user
Description
Keywords
Hospital treated motor vehicle injuries