Volume 4

Number 2, July 2022

Risk factors contributing to road traffic accidents in Bangladesh: A cross sectional hospital-based study

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47648/zhswmcj.2022.v0402.07

Saha Biswas T1 , Das D2 , Tarafder MA3 , Anwar KS4 , Biswas B5 , Sharmin A6 , Banik J7

Abstract

Background: Road traffic accident (RTA) has become one of the major concerns worldwide and Bangladesh is not beyond it. Because of the huge population, the authority can't pay proper attention to the traffic rules and transportation, also the poor illiterate people in the country are not aware of the traffic rules and regulations.

Method: Aim of this study was to identify the role of socio-demographic factors contributing to RTA and also, awareness on knowledge regarding traffic rules among the victims. It is a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted among 800 victims in a tertiary hospital namely Rangpur Medical College and Hospital in between 1st July to 1st December, 2021, in Rangpur, Bangladesh.

Results: Among the victims, 70.1% were male and 29.9% were female with a mean age of 32.8 +/- 16.6 years. 60.1% were from urban area, 41.6% were illiterate. Also, 58.4% and 31.5% came from middle and low socio-economic condition respectively. Among the patients, 41.8% were passenger, 34.6% passerby and the remaining 23.6% were drivers. 37.3% accidents took place in national highway. Comparatively lower percentage, 10-12% occur in weekends. In general, 53.1% have proper knowledge about traffic rules.

Conclusion: In case of drivers, 74.1% had proper traffic knowledge. Now there is a crying need to focus on safety education of general public on traffic rules. Arranging traffic awareness programs, broadcasting traffic rules on social media, undertaking multidisciplinary approach are needed to prevent the accidents and to ensure safety, discipline and awareness among the citizens in our country.

Keywords:


  1. Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine

    Z H Sikder Women’s Medical College, Dhaka

  2. Medical Officer

    Center for Kidney Disease and Urology Hospital, Dhaka

  3. Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine

    Z H Sikder Women's Medical College, Dhaka

  4. Head, Research Unit

    Ad-din Women's Medical College, Dhaka

  5. Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine

    TMSS Medical College and Hospital, Bogura, Bangladesh

  6. Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine

    Z H Sikder Women’s Medical College, Dhaka

  7. Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine

    Z H Sikder Women's Medical College, Dhaka

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Volume 4, Number 2, July 2022
Page: 31-36