Factors Associated with Road Traffic Accidents in Kathmandu, Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a leading and disproportionately prevalent cause of mortality and disability, particularly burdening Nepal, primarily within the Kathmandu Valley. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March ۲۲nd and April ۲۴th, ۲۰۲۱, involving ۱۸۵ victims admitted to the emergency department of a private hospital. Respondents were selected using purposive sampling, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Socio-demographic characteristics, human factors, and environmental factors data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and all statistical tests were conducted using SPSS version ۲۰. Results: Among the ۱۸۵ RTA victims, the majority (۳۶.۸%) fell within the ۲۱-۳۰ age groups. Male victims (۵۵.۷%) outnumbered females (۴۴.۳%). Students (۳۶.۸%) experienced the highest accident rates, with most incidents (۲۱.۱%) occurring on Saturdays and ۳۸.۴% taking place between ۱۲:۰۰pm and ۶:۰۰pm. Human Factors and RTA: Of the total victims, ۸۰ (۴۳.۲%) were drivers, with ۴۳.۷۵% of them reporting the use of emergency brakes. Furthermore, ۷۷.۶۱% indicated that accidents were caused by pedestrians not using zebra crossings when crossing the road. Environmental Factors and RTA: Rainy weather was associated with the highest number of accidents, accounting for ۳۶.۲% of cases. Additionally, narrow routes (۲۸.۶%) and slippery roads (۲۵.۹%) contributed to a significant number of accidents. Conclusion: Nepal faces a high rate of road traffic accidents, with critical factors including victim age, vehicle types, speed, road and weather conditions, and traffic rule violations. Authorities must consider these factors to effectively control and prevent RTAs. Corresponding Author: Rajesh Karki View Orcid in Profile You can search for this author in PubMed & Google Scholar Profile

Keywords:

Public Health , Mortality , Incidence , Global Health