| خلاصه مقاله | Abstract:
Background: Road crashes as a major global public health problem cost 3% of most countries and 5% of low- and
middle-income countries gross domestic product (GDP). The World Health Organization has predicted that without
sustained action, road traffic crashes will become the seventh leading cause of death by 2030. Objectives: The aim
of this study was to analyze the death rate, severity of injuries, and direct medical costs caused by road traffic
injuries (RTI) in the city of Tabriz in 2014.
Methods: Trauma injury admissions due to RTI in Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz City were investigated in terms of
etiology and the direct medical costs during 2014–2015. Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist
after being confirmed by relevant experts in terms of face validity. All information on direct medical costs are
extracted from several sources including hospitals, database of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education,
disaster and emergency medical management center, and public and private physiotherapy clinics across the city.
Results: Review of the hospital records showed that the mean age of the patients (67.9% males and 32.1% females)
was 34 ± 17.3 years. In addition, 79.2% of the patients were treated on an outpatient basis, and 20.8% were
treated on a hospitalization basis (hospitalization or death). The mean times of inpatient and outpatient
hospitalization for injuries were 3 h and 6.7 ± 5.3 days, respectively. Total direct medical costs were 11.631 dollars,
of which 8% was for hospital costs, 9.7% for pre-hospital costs, and 2.3% for physiotherapy costs. Chest and lower
part injuries had highest medical costs. From etiological standpoints, the greatest reason of being injured and
hospitalization is multiple injuries and bruises, and the prominent cause of death was blow to the head and neck
(70%).
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that direct medical costs in Tabriz during 2014-2015 were
equal to 0.1% of GDP, which is a considerable amount. High economic and social costs of road accidents and their
harmful physical and psychological effects on individuals and community require the attention of professionals and
experts in the transportation industry and health-care system to determine appropriate strategies for interventions in
reducing accidents burden and injuries. |