Article Text
Abstract
Background As Myanmar is moving towards the socioeconomic development more accidents are happening amid increasing number of vehicles. There were very few studies regarding with childhood injuries in Myanmar and further studies and evaluation are required to get appropriate preventive measures for road traffic injuries in children.
Methods Hospital based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted during the period of September 2013 to August 2014 at ER, Yangon General Hospital to recognise epidemiological distribution of RTA among children under 12 years of age. During this period, 350 cases attended at ER and data were collected from out-patient register and police record from Yangon General Hospital. Three sub-groups were defined by type of injured persons; pedestrian, non-motor vehicle and motor vehicle. Children were grouped into 3 categories depending on their age.
Results Among the injured, 63.1% were pedestrians, 277% were motor vehicle accidents and only 9.15 were nno-motor vehicle accidents. Among the age group school going age were commonest with 68.9% with male preponderance 59.4% and most of them (71.1%) were from urban area.
Head and neck injuries were most common with 54.9% followed by lower limb injuries (27.4%) and upper limb injuries (17.7%). Soft tissue injuries (57.4%) were common followed by fractures 20%. There were 4 deaths and the cause of death ws head injury and multiple injuries.
Conclusion Childhood road traffic injuries are common in school going age group and most of them are pedestrians. Road safety measures for children and school environment should be encouraged for possible interventions. Road Safety education should be introduced into curriculum and early childhood education on road safety should be delivered.
- Road Traffic Accidents
- children
- epidemiology
- injuries