ASSESSEMENT OF PREVALENCE OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AMONG SURGICAL EMERGENCY ATTENDANTS AT WOLKITE UNIVERSITY SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL, GURAGE ZONE ETHIOPIA 2014 E.C

Abstract

Introduction: Road traffic accident (RTA) is an incident on a way or street open to public traffic that becomes one of the most critical public health problems in the world especially in developing countries. According to WHO, every day more than 3000 people die from a road traffic accidents. The report done by the GBD indicate that estimated 973mllion people sustained injuries that need some types of health care and 5.1million dead from injuries. The major cause of injuries associated death where road traffic injuries followed by assault. Developing countries account for 90% of global road traffic deaths. Road traffic accidents are being the critical public health problem that causes disabilities and death in Ethiopia which could need due investigations. In Ethiopia, despite government effort to reduce RTA, injures is increasing at an alarming rate andconstitute around half of surgical emergency in most part of the countries.Objective: the aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of road traffic accident among surgical emergency department attendants in Wolkite University specialized hospital, from March 2013 to March 2014 E.C.Methods: A descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on prevalence of road traffic accident among emergency department attendants of Wolkite university specialized hospital from March 2013 to March 2014. The data was collected by using systematic random sampling technique. A semi-structured pre-tested checklist was used to gather the data fromthe patient´s chart and the collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. A descriptive statics such as graphs, tables and charts were used to present prevalence of road traffic accident and othervariables.Results: A total of 321 patients who visited Wolkite University specialized hospital and registered on patients folder card from March 2013 to March 2014 were included in the study. The prevalence of road traffic accident was found to be 67(20.9%) of them 66.7% occurred by public transport and 29.9% were pedestrian and among the victims about 5 (7.5%) were died Conclusion: The prevalence of road traffic injury in the study area was high. Therefore the government intervention is needed to reduce road traffic accident and its impact on individual, family and community level.