Risk differences between children and adults in road traffic injuries: a descriptive study from a tertiary-care hospital in a low-income country.

OBJECTIVE Our study attempted to describe the differences in circumstances, risk groups, and severity of road traffic injuries (RTIs) among injured children (1-15 years) and adults (≥16 years) coming to the tertiary-care hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS Past medical records from June 2006 to May 2007 of injured patients coming to the Emergency Department of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi were reviewed. Data were recorded regarding the basic epidemiological features, hospital stay, body parts that are injured, and severity of injuries. RESULTS Of 411 RTI patients, males outnumbered females by a ratio of 4 : 1 accounting for 81% (n = 333) of injured. Among pedestrians (82; 20%), females were injured more than males (38 vs. 16%; P < 0.01). When compared with adults, injured children were mostly pedestrians (18 vs. 36%; P = 0.01) and presented with severe Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (9 vs. 18%; P = 0.02). Among adults, most RTIs were caused by two wheelers crashing with four wheelers (16 vs. 19%; P = 0.01). Motor vehicle occupants (adjusted odds ratio: 3.04; 95% confidence interval: 1.382-6.668) were more likely to have severe GCS (GCS < 8) even after adjusting for injury severity. CONCLUSION The study may assist local authorities in Karachi to prioritize interventions to address common injuries among those who are at a high risk for RTIs. Further quantitative and qualitative studies are needed to assess the factors leading to RTIs among pedestrians in Karachi.