171766 Epidemical features of road traffic injuries in Yunnan Province China

Monday, October 27, 2008

Mei Wen , International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Adnan Hyder , Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Richard H. Morrow, MD, MPH , International Health, and Epidemiology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Background: Road traffic injuries are a major public health problem in developing countries, and got disproportional attention. Population-based studies at provincial level were scarce; this study aimed to examine the pattern of road traffic deaths and injuries and associated risk factors in Yunnan Province.

Methods: Data from Transportation Management Bureau were analyzed for the patterns and time trends from 2002 to 2005.

Results: Road fatality rate had been increasing in Yunnan, from 2.1 in 1975 to 6.57/100 000 population in 2005; a 213% increase. Fatality rate per 1000 vehicles dropped from 1323 to 88. Of the 12395 people killed from road traffic crashes, 10624 (86%) were from rural areas. Though fatality rate in rural areas was twice than in urban areas, the difference of crash rate got smaller. People aged 16 to 40 contributed 56% of the deaths, 63% of the injured from road traffic crashes from 2002 to 2005. 67% involved in crash were males. January to April showed more frequent crashes. Novice drivers with under one year's experience got more involved in crashes, deaths and injuries. Peak time for road traffic crashes was 9 am to 12 am, and 15 to 18 pm. GDP per capita was significantly associated with road traffic fatalities.

Conclusion: Temporal and special variations were observed in Yunnan. The patterns of road traffic injury differ in urban and rural areas, in costal areas and inland provinces. Injury prevention strategies need to be developed accordingly.

Learning Objectives:
The participants in this session will have better understanding about road traffic injury in Yunnan Province, time trends and the associated risk factors. The participants will identify the main factors related with road traffic injury in Yunnan Province, and discuss the possible prevention strategies.

Keywords: Safety, Injuries

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I did the study under the supervision of Prof. Hyder and Prof. Morrow.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Motor Vehicle-Related Injury Posters
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