Factors affecting the severity of traffic accident injuries; a cross-sectional study based on the Haddon matrix

Background: Based on the Haddon matrix, several factors such as environment, host, and agent can affect the severity of traffic-related injuries. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the severity of injuries due to traffic accidents using the Haddon matrix. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all traffic accident victims (n=۲۰۱۵) referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia during ۲۰۱۵-۲۰۱۶ were selected by the census method. Demographic data of the patients and data regarding Haddon risk factors was collected and then analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression using the SPSS ۱۸ software. Results: The mean age of the participants was ۳۳.۶۳±۱۸.۵۳ years. Most of the victims of traffic accidents were male (age range, ۱۷-۳۰ years) with severe and critical injuries. The most common mechanisms of injury were car-pedestrian collisions (۲۷.۹%), car overturning (۳۱.۱%), and collisions between two cars (۲۶.۳%). Violation of speed limit (۷۳.۲%) and violation of right-of-way (۱۷.۹%) were the most common moving violations. Additionally, the results of the multivariate analysis regarding vehicle safety devices showed that there was a significant relationship between the time and location of the accident and the severity of the injury (p <۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that many factors, including using vehicle safety tools and time and location of the accidents have been implicated in the severity of accident-related injuries. Hence, appropriate planning and training and national and international measures can be helpful in reducing injury severity.

Keywords:

Wounds , Injuries , Traffic Accidents , risk factors