An Investigation of Injury Patterns and Emergency Care in Road Traffic Accidents in Accra, Ghana.
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The primary aim of this study is to investigate the injury patterns and emergency care in road traffic accidents in Accra. Thus, the following questions;
- To investigate how often road accidents occur.
- To determine the demographics of the victims usually involved in such accidents.
- To investigate what sort of emergency care is provided to accident victims.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
General Overview of Road Traffic Accidents
Road traffic accidents (RTA) are operationally defined as motor vehicle collisions involving motorized and non-motorized vehicles, pedestrians or both. Other terms that have been used to describe RTAs include motor vehicular accidents; motor vehicular collision; road traffic collision etc. The term collision or crashes instead of accidents has been used by the legal and law enforcement agencies because it indicates that these events are largely due to negligence and poor judgement and are preventable in most cases. RTAs often cause damage to property but more importantly causes injuries and even death. Injuries have traditionally been defined as physical damage to a person caused by an acute transfer of energy (mechanical, thermal, electrical, chemical, or radiation energy) or by the sudden absence of heat or oxygen.(Miller & Thompson, 2015) All over the world, RTAs are a major source of unintentional trauma. Globally, trauma is the leading cause of mortality in persons under of 40 years. For every RTA related death, three victims suffer permanent disability and many more dependants of these victims are affected socioeconomically (Lozano et al., 2013) RTAs are a significant source of morbidity in all age groups around the world. Although low and middle income countries have the lowest motorization rate globally (less cars per head) there is a disproportionately large number (about 85%) of global RTAs occurring in low and middle income countries (LMIC). According to the World Bank Country and Lending Groups Report, most countries in Sub Saharan Africa and South-East Asia fall into the LMIC group. Countries in Western Europe, North America and limited parts of Asia are in the high income group (HIC). Whereas injuries accounted for 6% of deaths in high-income countries, they caused 12% of deaths in LMIC. Figures from the Sub Saharan Africa alone are said to be higher.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain investigation of injury patterns and emergency care in road traffic accident in Accra, Ghana. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of injury patterns and emergency care in road traffic accident in Accra, Ghana
Summary
This study was on investigation of injury patterns and emergency care in road traffic accident in Accra, Ghana. Three objectives were raised which included; To investigate how often road accidents occur, to determine the demographics of the victims usually involved in such accidents and to investigate what sort of emergency care is provided to accident victims. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Accra, Ghana. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The emergency care was compliant with the accepted ATLS protocol which ensures best practices. Various specialists were involved in the emergency care of casualties at the A&E. The management of most cases involved the Orthopaedic surgeon. All mechanism of RTAs occurred during the period of study. Some injury patterns significantly differed across different mechanisms of injury. Lower limb injuries were the most predominant. The socio-demographic profile of motorcycle related RTAs showed working age (25-45 years) males with no special trend in their occupation.
Recommendation
Orthopedic, neuro- and general surgeon must be well placed in the health facilities managing trauma. The use of the ATLS protocol must be encouraged in all health institutions in Ghana. Health Insurance must be promoted among blue collar workers in the non-formal sector to cover trauma care. Update courses on the improved management of limb injuries must be made available for middle level health personnel like nurses and physician assistants since most injuries sustained were to the lower limb. The number of available Orthopeadic, Neuroand General surgeons must be increased to ensure efficient trauma care in Ghana
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