Epidemiological and prognostic factors associated with road traffic accidents occurring in the Center East of Tunisia.

Dorra Loghmari, Y. Hicheri, Sarra Soua., Rabeb Mbarek, M. Boudriga, F. Lihiou, Naoufel Chebili.

Abstract

Introduction: Road Traffic accidents (RTAs) are a major public health concern associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological aspects of RTAs and their prognostic factors in the center east of Tunisia.
Methods: This was a prospective cross sectional descriptive study conducted in the Emergency Medical Services area 03 of the center east of Tunisia for a period of 18 months from February 1 2020 to July 31 2021.
Results: Three hundred forty five patients were included. Among them 82.8% were male (Mean age: 33±17.2 years). The injured patient was the driver in 57.1% of cases. Traffic accidents involving pedestrians and motorists were the most frequent types of accident (18.8%). Traffic accidents often occurred on Monday and Saturday (18.2% and 16.8%) between 6 p.m. and midnight (36.2%). In 54.4% of cases, injured patients did not meet effective safety measures such as helmet use and seat belt. Etiological events related to the patients that lead to traffic accident were, alcoholism is 29 cases (26.1%), excessive speed in 25 cases (22.5%). Etiological events related to the road were poor road conditions in 34 cases (39.5%). Etiological climate related events were rainy weather in 33 cases (47.1%). Thirty-one victims were died in the first 24 hours (8.9%). Univariate analysis of epidemiological factors of victims of RTAs showed 4 factors significant predicting mortality included in our study: location of the traffic accident in the city of “Kairouan” (p=0.005), road related factors: low-light areas (p=0.029), weather related factors: rainy weather (p=0.003) and patient related factors: alcoholism (p=0.044).
Conclusion: Road Traffic accidents are of considerable socio-economic importance for our community. It is necessary to know how to manage a RTA‘s victim through the circumstances of the accident and its risk factors.