University of Dar es Salaam School of Health Sciences

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Browsing University of Dar es Salaam School of Health Sciences by Subject "Accidents victims"

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    Quality of health care services for road accident victims in public health facilities in Ilala District Dar es Salaam region.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2004) Lyimo, Angela Nelson
    An operational research was conducted in Dar-es-Salaam region from 17th May to15 July 2004. The study was qualitative research comprising of macro data collection of road traffic accidents which occurred in the period of five years 1999-2003 where examined through documentation of data from Dar-es-salaam Regional Police office, as well as health staff in respective public health facilities and micro data collection through personal interview, using structured interview and active participatory observation for the targeted population. Using a descriptive cross sectional study design, additional data were collected from road accidents victims, who attended emergency treatment in Public hospitals at Ilala district, during the month of May and June 2004. A report from the office of the Dar-es-salaam Regional Police Commander, compiled on monthly basis on road accidents, were reviewed as well as 82 accident victims were interviewed. The study revealed that a total of 56,513 road traffic accidents (RTAs) occurred in Dar-es-salaam region from the year 1999-2003. The average was approximately 11,372 accidents per year and trend was almost the same during the five years. Overall RTAs were responsible for 56,513 of all accidents 86% of all injuries and 14% of all deaths. A total number of 82 reported to be involved in RTAs during the study period of eight weeks. Males were more likely than females to be involved in such accidents, 68.3% and 31.7% respectively. The majority of victims were between the age of 21 and 40 years and approximately 4.8% were reported to have died. Passengers were at highest risk of dying of RTAs (40.2%) followed by pedestrians (36.6% and drivers {15.9%) during the study period. Most of the accidents occurred during the daytime, when road was dry (79.3%) than when the road was wet (7.3%). Victims were significantly more likely to die from road traffic accidents occurring at night than during the day time. According to observation from the health personnel working at OPD revealed that problems occurring during the night shift experience were (59.7%) rather than during the daytime experience were (18.1%).Three factors identified to contribute highly to road traffic accidents were over speeding, dangerous/careless driving and driving under influence of alcohol. The sites that were found to be prone to accidents than others were road junction (35.4%), narrow road (35.4%) and bend (22.0%). Availability of transport to ferry the road accident victims to hospital was facilitated by privately owned vehicles and police cars. In all accident victims, first aid was available for some of them starting from the time accident occurred until they arrived at the hospital. Injuries found to be life threatening were head injuries and intraperitoneal haemorrhage that resulted in hospital stay for some days. The trend of referring the accidents victims appeared to increase daily from district hospitals to the Muhimbili National hospital. It is recommended that traffic police, ambulance operators, bus drivers and conductors should be trained on how to give first aid to injured people. Buses should have first aid kit with gloves available. Also to control and prevent road accidents there should be a continuous promotion of public awareness by the media on road safety. Improve driver's competency, enforcement of road safety regulations and a clear national policy on road safety.