Assessment of Road Traffic Accidents among Children in Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia; A Retrospective Record Review

Abstract

Road traffic injuries are major causes of death and disability worldwide, with a disproportionate number of occurrences in developing countries particularly in school-age children. The aim of this study is to assess the magnitude and factors associated with road traffic accidents among children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Retrospective record review was conducted to assess road traffic accidents among children of Addis Ababa from records of all sub cities of Addis Ababa Traffic Control and Investigation Department (AATCID). The study population was all children aged 4-14 years, who had had RTA and recorded at AATCIDs of all sub cities, from March, 2010–February, 2014. Data were collected using structured checklist. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done using SPSS version 20. A total of 1019 accidents among children have been registered in all police stations of sub cities of Addis Ababa from March, 2010 to February, 2014. Of these, 125 (12.3%) resulted in fatal accident, 510 (50%) in severe injuries and 384 (37.7%) in light injuries. Overall, 608 (59.6%) of the accidents occurred during rush hours. Children in the age group 4--6 years and children from 7--10 years were more likely to die from road traffic accidents compared to children in the age group 11--14 years AOR 2.19, 95% CI (1.29, 3.75) and AOR 2.15, 95% CI (1.34, 3.46), respectively. Drivers with less than one year driving experience were more likely to cause fatal accidents compared to their counterparts AOR 2.77, 95% CI (1.16, 6.66). The rise in road traffic accident in Addis Ababa among children is alarming. Therefore, road safety laws, proper and adequate training of drivers and public education need to be in place to respond to the high morbidity and mortality associated with road traffic accidents.

Keywords: Children, Fatality, Injuries, Road Traffic Accident