Abstract:
Statement of purpose The purpose of this study was to assess
the burden of road accidents having as a consequence traumatic
brain injury in relationship with demographic characteristics
and provide appropriate suggestions for its prevention.
Methods/Approach A prospective study was performed from
March, 1 to August 31, 2019. It used the data from the TBI
Registry completed for 368 patients (201 adults, 167 children)
with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury reported at the
Emergency Departments within 2 republican hospitals. The
Redcap electronic tool was used to upload the data and Epi
Info 7 for data analyzes. The ethics committee’s approval has
been obtained.
Results There have been 113 (30,7%) cases of TBI which
reported traffic-related mechanisms; aged between 0–79 years
old, of which 71,7% were male and 28,3% female. In 90,5%
accidents occurred in the urban area and reached the hospital
by ambulance in 97,3%. Most cases were among children
(44,2%), followed by the age group of 30–49 years old (18,
6%). All cases were unintentionally and 2,7% as a workrelated
injury. In 78,8% of cases, accidents take place in the
transport area (public highway, street, or road), mostly among
children (35,4%). Most cases were in June (20,4%), between
2pm-6pm (29,2%) and peak hours of addressed for medical
help being 2pm-4pm (16,8%). There have been 43,4% pedestrian,
36,3% passenger car, 11,5% pedal cycling, 7,1% motorcycle,
1,8% public transport; as drivers only 23,9%.
Conclusion The result underlines the main affected age group,
place, and role of the persons involved in road accidents,
which will be useful resources for conducting information
campaigns among the high-risk groups.
Significance The obtained data will be included in the implementation
of comprehensive measures in road trauma prevention
and to develop information- education campaigns on
road safety.
