Epidemiology of transportation related injuries in a sub-saharan African city

Mock, C.; nii-Amon-Kotei, D.; Forjuoh, S.; Rivara, F.

Affiliations

¹U of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

To better elucidate the incidence, nature, and consequences of transportation related injuries in a developing urban area, we undertook an epidemiologic survey in Kumasi, Ghana. 656 (5.6%) of 11,663 persons surveyed had sustained an injury in the preceding year. Transportation related mechanisms accounted for 16% of these injuries, but were more severe than other mechanisms in terms of length of disability and cost of treatment. The majority of injuries were either to passengers involved in crashes of mini-buses or taxis (29%) or to pedestrians struck by these vehicles (21%). Prevention strategies may need to be fundamentally different from those of developed nations and need to target professional drivers more than private road users.

Cited Works (1)

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1988	MacKenzie EJ, Siegel JH, Shapiro S, Moody M, Smith RT. Functional recovery and medical costs of trauma: an analysis by type and severity of injury. J Trauma. March 1988;28(3):281-297.

Cited By (3)

Year	Entry
1997	Mock C, nii-Amon-Kotei D, Forjuoh S, Rivara F. Epidemiology of transportation related injuries in rural Africa. In: 41st Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). November 10-11, 1997; Orlando, FL.169-183.
1998	Mock C, Asiamah G, Amegashie J. Epidemiology of alcohol impaired driving in an African nation. In: 42nd Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 5-7, 1998; Charlottesville, VA.335-351.
1999	Mock C, nii-Amon-Kotei D, Forjuoh S, Rivara F. Epidemiology of transportation related injuries in rural Africa. J Crash Prev Injury Control. 1999;1(1):45-53.