Trends in road traffic deaths among motorists in Lusaka from 2010 to 2013

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with road traffic deaths and trends in traffic deaths among motorists in Lusaka from 2010 to 2013. RTAs are one of the main causes of injuries and deaths in the world today. It is a concern for public health. Third world countries such as Zambia experience large numbers of RTAs and the outcomes are affecting the development and productivity of such economies. This study was conducted in Lusaka, Zambia based on police statistical records of road traffic accidents that took place in the period under review. Simple Systematic Sampling was used to select a total of 400 cases into the sample that were considered for analysis. The Researcher used Logistic Regression Analysis to determine the associations between the Outcome Variable (i.e. dying from a road traffic accident) and other independent variables such as age of driver, sex of driver, road from which the accident took place and time of accident. These associations were analysed at three distinct levels namely, Univariate analysis, Bivariate analysis and the Multivariate analysis which took into account the need to control for confounders. The results indicated that there is a strong association between sex of driver and the probability of dying from a road traffic accident which revealed that male drivers are at a higher risk of dying from an RTA than their female counterparts. Apart from that, odds of dying from an RTA were higher in roads around town and the surrounding areas compared to those on the periphery. These associations that were unravelled from the results were in conformity with studies conducted in the USA, Europe, Asia and parts of Africa that age and sex of driver are statistically significant to determine whether the risk of dying is higher or reduced on the road. Recommendations to the study were in tandem with the results which were that government and the general citizenry should take the matter of deaths from RTAs as important and put in place measures that can address the problem adequately. There is need to work out plans and policies that prioritise RTAs as a relevant Public Health concern in order to save lives and prevent unnecessary injuries. There should also be a strategic framework that stiffens regulations on the road especially to the most affected groups such as young male drivers in Lusaka that have indicated having high vulnerability to the risk of dying from RTAs