BACKGROUND: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) have emerged as a major global public health problem. However, burden of RTI is not known in Afghanistan. We aimed to estimate and characterize the burden and types of RTIs in Afghanistan.
METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, 1514 road traffic injured admitted in eight regional/provincial hospitals, were enrolled in the study between June and December 2013. A structured questionnaire was used to interview injured ones or their attendants in emergency rooms to collect data on the causes of accidents.
RESULTS: We surveyed 1514 injured and 283 drivers. Mean ± standard deviation age of the patients and drivers were 25.7 ± 14.5 and 32.3 ± 10.4 years respectively. Most accidents occurred on Thursdays/weekends (16.25%). Apparently the proportion of smokers among drivers were 51% (144) while it was 16.5% (247) among injured. Similarly, hashish use was 11% (31) among driver and 1.6% (24) among injured. Cars and motorbikes were involved in 56.4% and 28.3% of cases. Of the injured, 45.3% were pedestrians, 25.7% were passengers, 18.1% were cyclists, and 10.9% were drivers. The reasons for accidents from the injured patients’ standpoint were 1.9% due to overloads, 2.8% due to failure to follow traffic signs, 71.6% due to driving over speed limits, 5.6% due to pedestrians on the street, 1.4% due to bad weathers, 7.7% due to bad roads, 8.6% due to poor driving skills and 0.5 % due to poorly maintained vehicles. Lower limb injuries were most common (39.6 %) followed by head injuries (25.1 %). Of all injured, 63.6% were hospitalized, 31.5% were discharged from emergency department, and 4.9% died in the emergency department. The average speed of the vehicles involved in accidents was 59.5 ± 22.10 km/hours. 13% vehicle occupants used seat belts or helmets, and 23.7% vehicles were right-side steering wheel.
CONCLUSION: RTIs in Afghanistan mainly involve young men and often involve pedestrians. To reduce the burden of RTIs, considerable attention of various sectors on road safety measures, human factors and vehicles are needed.