Cent Eur J Public Health 2012, 20(2):116-120 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3686

Pattern of Road Traffic Injuries in Lublin County, Poland

Mariusz Goniewicz1, Adam Nogalski2, Meleckidzedeck Khayesi3, Tomasz Lübek2, Beata Zuchora2, Krzysztof Goniewicz1, Paulina Mi¶kiewicz4
1 Emergency Medicine Unit, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Trauma Surgery and Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
3 Department of Injuries and Violence Prevention and Disability, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
4 World Health Organization, Country Office in Poland, Warsaw, Poland

Background: Road traffic injury patients admitted to 35 hospitals in Lublin region.

Objective: To describe the pattern of road traffic injuries in Lublin county, Poland.

Methods: Review of medical records for the period from January 2004 to December 2005.

Results: Pedestrians accounted for the largest share of the Road traffic crash (RTC) injury cases (35.8%) and 46.4% of deaths. The highest mortality was observed in motorcycle occupants (7.1%) and victims with abdominal injuries (9.8%). Vulnerable road users represented 71.4% of all RTC deaths, with mortality 5.8%. Early transfers accounted for 82.5% of cases. Mortality in early transfers is 4 times higher than in late transfers.

Conclusions: Poland ranks as one of the worst European countries in terms of severity and fatal outcomes of road traffic injuries. Groups of road users in Poland at the highest risk are pedestrians, cyclists, children and young male drivers. The highest mortality rate occurs among road users affected by multiple trauma and head/vertebral column injuries. Alleviation of consequences of road traffic injuries in Poland may be achieved by coordinated efforts and collective responsibility of government, central level agencies, rescue team members and community groups.

Keywords: road accidents, injuries

Received: November 23, 2011; Revised: March 16, 2012; Accepted: March 16, 2012; Published: June 1, 2012  Show citation

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Goniewicz M, Nogalski A, Khayesi M, Lübek T, Zuchora B, Goniewicz K, Mi¶kiewicz P. Pattern of Road Traffic Injuries in Lublin County, Poland. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2012;20(2):116-120. doi: 10.21101/cejph.a3686. PubMed PMID: 22966734.
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