Epidemiological Study of Road Traffic Accident Cases: a Study from South India

Research question: What are the various epidemiological factors related to road traffic accident cases? Objectives: 1. To assess the prevalence of road traffic cases coming to hospital. 2. To know the various epidemiological factors related to road traffic accident cases. Study design: Descriptive study. Setting: Study was performed in Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research Hospital, Pondicherry. Participants: 726 road traffic victims reported in one year period. Study variables: Demographic characteristics of the victims, time, day and month of accidents. Type of accidents, vehicle involved in accidents etc. Statistical analysis: Proportions. Results: There were 83% male and 17% female accident victims. Labourers were the highest (29.9%) among the victims. The highest number of accidents took place in the month of January (12.9%) and on Sundays (17.1%). The occupants of the various vehicles constituted the large (45%) group of the victims. Among the motorized vehicles, two wheeler drivers were more (31.1%) involved in accidents. Out of 254 drivers 14.9% were found to have consumed alcohol. Being knocked down was the common mode of accidents.