Epidemiology of transport-related injuries in Ghana

Accid Anal Prev. 1999 Jul;31(4):359-70. doi: 10.1016/s0001-4575(98)00064-5.

Abstract

To better elucidate the incidence, characteristics, and consequences of transport-related injuries in a less developed country in Africa, we undertook an epidemiologic survey in Ghana. A total of 21,105 persons were surveyed, in both an urban area (Kumasi, n = 11,663) and a rural area (Brong-Ahafo, n = 9442). In the preceding year, a total of 656 injuries were reported in the urban area and 928 injuries reported in the rural area. Transport-related mechanisms accounted for 16% of all injuries in the urban and 10% of all injuries in the rural area. The annual incidence of transport-related injuries was almost identical in the two settings, 997/100,000 persons in the urban area and 941/100,000 in the rural area. In both settings, transport-related injuries were more severe than other types of injuries in terms of mortality, length of disability, and economic consequences. In the urban area, the most common transport-related mechanisms were either to passengers involved in crashes of mini-buses or taxis (29%) or to pedestrians struck by these vehicles (21%). In the rural area, the most common transport-related mechanisms were bicycle crashes. The second most common rural mechanisms were motor vehicle crashes, which were the most severe and which involved commercial (83%) rather than private vehicles. Prevention strategies need to be different from those in developed countries and should target commercial drivers more than private road users.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Developing Countries*
  • Female
  • Ghana / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Vehicles / statistics & numerical data
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology*