Epidemiologic Survey of Road Traffic Accidents in Patients Admitted in Emergency Department of Alejalil Hospital in Aq-Qala City, Golestan Province

Road traffic fatality is in critical situation in our country nowadays and about 28000 individuals die from road traffic accidents annually. The aim of the current study was to investigate road traffic accidents in patients admitted in emergency department of Alejalil hospital in Aq-Qala city. An analytical study conducted from July 2009 to July 2010. Data were gathered through census method using record sheets which include demographic and other related variables based on the study objectives. The questionnaire was validated by content validity analysis. Data were recorded using interview with patients or their accompanies. ANOVA was applied for data analysis with the alpha level set at p<0.05. Average age of 833 subjects was 24.67(SD=13.96) years. 33.8% of the patients were in 20-29 years age group. Sex ratio (male to female) was 5.7. 74.5% of injuries occurred for motorcyclists and 10.9% for pedestrians. 96% have not used either helmet or seat belt at the accident occurrence time. 41.6% of the accident occurred between 12 to 18 o’clock and 19.3 in Thursday. Thirty eight point five percent was occurred in summer. Significant relationships were observed between accident occurrence and season and day of the week (p<0.05). Majority of the road traffic accidents were in young motorcyclists’ who don’t wear helmet.