Adult pedestrian and cyclist injuries in Lilongwe, Malawi: a cross-sectional study.
Accidents, Traffic
/ statistics & numerical data
Adult
Bicycling
/ injuries
Cross-Sectional Studies
Emergency Service, Hospital
/ statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Malawi
/ epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Motor Vehicles
/ statistics & numerical data
Pedestrians
/ statistics & numerical data
Risk Factors
Urban Population
/ statistics & numerical data
Walking
/ injuries
Young Adult
Injuries
Malawi
bicycling
pedestrians
risk factors
road traffic collisions
Journal
Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi
ISSN: 1995-7270
Titre abrégé: Malawi Med J
Pays: Malawi
ID NLM: 9500170
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
12 2020
12 2020
Historique:
entrez:
30
8
2021
pubmed:
31
8
2021
medline:
10
9
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Pedestrian and cyclist injuries are a major concern globally, but especially in low-income countries. Locally conducted research is needed to measure the size of the problem and advise policy on road safety interventions. We wanted to investigate the precise circumstances of these injuries in Lilongwe, Malawi and to identify risk factors for severe injuries. Cross-sectional study of all adult pedestrian and cyclist injuries presenting to a large central hospital. This was a sub-study of a larger study with all types of road users included. All patients provided detailed information about the incidents leading to injury and were tested for alcohol. There were 222 pedestrians, 183 bicycle riders and 42 bicycle passengers among the 1259 adult road traffic injury victims that were treated at Kamuzu Central Hospital during a 90-day period in 2019. Of these injuries, 60.2% occurred while the victim was walking/cycling along the road and 22.3% when the victim was trying to cross the road. The majority of the victims were men (89.1%). Helmet use for bicyclists was almost non-existent. Only 1 patient had used reflective devices when injured in the dark, despite 44.7% of these injuries occurring in reduced light conditions. There was an increased risk for serious and fatal injuries for pedestrians compared with bicyclists, and also compared with all types of road users. Patients injured in rural areas and those hit by lorries were more severely injured. Consuming alcohol before being injured was associated with more severe injuries in bicyclists. Being injured while crossing the road at painted zebra crossings was associated with an increased risk of serious and potentially fatal injuries. This study identified important risk factors for severe injuries in pedestrians and cyclists. Implications for preventive measures are presented in a Haddon Matrix.
Sections du résumé
Background
Pedestrian and cyclist injuries are a major concern globally, but especially in low-income countries. Locally conducted research is needed to measure the size of the problem and advise policy on road safety interventions. We wanted to investigate the precise circumstances of these injuries in Lilongwe, Malawi and to identify risk factors for severe injuries.
Methods
Cross-sectional study of all adult pedestrian and cyclist injuries presenting to a large central hospital. This was a sub-study of a larger study with all types of road users included. All patients provided detailed information about the incidents leading to injury and were tested for alcohol.
Results
There were 222 pedestrians, 183 bicycle riders and 42 bicycle passengers among the 1259 adult road traffic injury victims that were treated at Kamuzu Central Hospital during a 90-day period in 2019. Of these injuries, 60.2% occurred while the victim was walking/cycling along the road and 22.3% when the victim was trying to cross the road. The majority of the victims were men (89.1%). Helmet use for bicyclists was almost non-existent. Only 1 patient had used reflective devices when injured in the dark, despite 44.7% of these injuries occurring in reduced light conditions. There was an increased risk for serious and fatal injuries for pedestrians compared with bicyclists, and also compared with all types of road users. Patients injured in rural areas and those hit by lorries were more severely injured. Consuming alcohol before being injured was associated with more severe injuries in bicyclists. Being injured while crossing the road at painted zebra crossings was associated with an increased risk of serious and potentially fatal injuries.
Conclusion
This study identified important risk factors for severe injuries in pedestrians and cyclists. Implications for preventive measures are presented in a Haddon Matrix.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34457204
doi: 10.4314/mmj.v32i4.4
pmc: PMC8364799
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
197-204Informations de copyright
© 2020 The College of Medicine and the Medical Association of Malawi.
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