Casualties and deaths from road traffic accidents in Dohuk, Iraq

Abstract EN

Background Motor vehicle injuries have been an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries.

In developing countries, however, the impact of such injuries is rapidly increasing due to the increased passenger car ownership and low compliance to safety measures.

In Iraq, as well as in other neighbouring countries, high rates of serious Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) have been reported.

Aims The aim of the present study is to study the pattern of RTAs crashes, injuries and fatalities in Dohuk city, Kurdistan region in Iraq and to investigate any possible increase after 2003.

Methods The study was conducted in Dohuk for a 2 year period 2003-2004.

The data was collected from two main sources.

The first was the emergency hospital in Dohuk.

Information regarding age, gender, type and site of injury and clinical outcome were obtained from the statistical office of the hospital.

The other source of data collection was the Directorate of Dohuk Traffic Police.

Results The study revealed increases in RTAs casualties and fatalities (14.3% and 66.3% respectively) during the year 2004 in comparison with 2003.

Fractures in different parts of the body constituted the majority of injuries.

The most common types were skull fractures (31.9%) followed by lower limb fractures (23.3%).

The study documented a total increase in the number of registered cars during 2003 – 2004 (132.2%) with a difference of (32.9%) for the year 2004 over that of 2003.

Conclusion There have been increases in both casualties and fatalities due to RTAs in parallel with an increase in the number of imported second hand cars.

Fractures of different parts of the body constituted the majority of injuries with evident male preponderance although.