1 College of Medicine, University of Juba, South Sudan.
2 College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Upper Nile, South Sudan.
3 Directorate of Policy, Planning, Budget and Research, National Ministry of Health, South Sudan.
4 College of Applied and Industrial Sciences, University of Juba, South Sudan.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 17(02), 181-188
Received on 25 November 2022; revised on 19 January 2023; accepted on 21 January 2023
Background: Road traffic accidents remains as one of the leading causes of death and life-long disability worldwide.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for road traffic accidents in Juba, South Sudan.
Methods and materials: This are a retrospective study using data from registers at Juba Teaching Hospital and Directorate of Traffic police between 1st January to 31st December 2018. Data were collected, cleaned and entered into a computer database. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 21 Software. A variable with a p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Out of 7862 patients were recorded in the OPD at Juba Teaching Hospital (JTH), 7.3 % (575/7862) were road traffic accident (RTA) cases. This is at rate of 7313 per 100,000 of the population. Of all the 575 cases of RTA in JTH, 82% (472/575) were males and 18% (103/575) females with age ranging from 9 months to 97yrs and a mean age of 26.9yrs, SD+/-12.53. Most of the patients 37 % (214/575) were of age group 31-40years, with majority 36% (207/575) coming from an unidentified location. Munuki block had the highest 25.2% (145/575) within Juba city council , while areas outside Juba city council had the least 7.5% (43/575).
Interestingly most of the patients 44 % (253/575) presented to the OPD at night, while 19 % (111/575) presented in the morning. Most 20 % (113/575) presented to the OPD in May 4 % (23/575). There were no cases in June.Out of 1081 drivers involved in RTA, age group 31-40yrs (37%), 21-30yrs (37%), 21-30yrs (36%), 31-40yrs (42%) and 31-40yrs (31%) had an outcome of car accidents causing death, severe injuries, slight injuries, damage and influenced by alcohol respectively with p=0.015. It was noted that 81% (926/1141) drivers had driving licenses, while 19% (215/1141) driving without licenses. Private cars were associated with the highest outcome;56% causing death, 50% causing slight injuries and 42% causing severe injuries with p=0.01. Unfortunately, 82% of drivers driving under alcohol influence were drivers driving private cars as the highest with p=0.000. Out of the 1472 cars registered, majority were private cars 38% (27/71), 36% (134/373), 47% (222/475) and100% (11/11) were involved in accidents causing death, severe injuries, damage to property and driven under influence of alcohol respectively with p=0.003. Motorcycles reminded leading cause of slight injuries, 39 % (214/542) but also the second leading in causing severe injury 35 % (190/542) as well as damage to property 20 % (96/475). Most of the cars 22% (13/58) caused accidents resulting to death as well as slight injuries 16.8% (67/404) in March; severe injuries 13.3% (39/291) seen in November, where as damage to the property 13.6% (40/296) in February. Accidents due alcohol intoxication 50% (16/32) were seen in January but p=0.58.
Conclusion: Road traffic accidents still remain a public health problem in Juba with younger age drivers involved in accidents.
Road traffic accidents; Juba teaching hospital; Directorate of traffic police; South Sudan
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Kenneth Sube, Joseph Chol, Louis Ajuot, Rebecca Aluow, Sunday Lemi, Thubo Ador, Akway Cham, Justin Tongun, Richard Loro and Joseph Lako. The prevalence of road traffic accidents in Juba City, 2018, South Sudan. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 17(2), 181-188. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2023.17.2.0001