Pattern of non-fatal injuries in road traffic crashes in a hilly area: A study from Shimla, North India

RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the various injuries in road traffic crash cases? OBJECTIVES: To study various non-fatal injuries in road traffic crash cases. STUDY DESIGN: Hospital based Descriptive study. STUDY POPULATION: The study population comprised of 401 consecutive cases of non- fatal injuries involved in road traffic crashes and reported at Indira Gandhi Medical College hospital, Shimla. STUDY PERIOD: 1(st) June 2005 to 31(st) May 2006. STUDY VARIABLES: Demographic characteristics of the victims, pattern of injuries and hospital stay of the victims. Types of crashes, time, day and month of crashes, vehicles involved in crashes, use of protective gear etc. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Percentages, Proportions. RESULTS: 73% of the injured victims were young between 20-49yrs, male to female ratio being 5.3:1. Employees (34.7%) and occupants of transport vehicles (45.9%) constituted the maximum number of the victims. Major injuries (fractures and abd. injuries) were reported in 53.4% of the victims and fractures of lower limb were the commonest of the injuries (26.3%). Use of seat-belt was found to be alarmingly low (14.3%) amongst the four- wheeler users and its non-use was found to be significantly associated with the major injuries. Helmet was used by 36 cases (66.7%) out of total of 54 users of motorized two-wheelers at the time of crash. Human error was the most reported cause of crash (82%) and the most common mode of crash was skidding and/rolling down (55%).23.1% of the drivers were reported to have consumed alcohol at the time of crash.