Educational and awareness programs

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 80 views

Characteristics of Patients Victims of Traffic Accidents at the Emergency Installation of Haji Adam Malik Hospital in 2015

Introduction

Traffic accidents are a significant cause of death and disability worldwide, and their incidence has increased with the growth of land transportation. The factors contributing to these accidents are often preventable and include human, vehicle, environmental, and road conditions. This study aims to identify the characteristics of patients who were victims of traffic accidents treated at the Emergency Department (IGD) of Adam Malik Hospital in 2015.

Background

Traffic accidents are a major public health concern, and their prevention is crucial to reduce the number of deaths and disabilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 1.35 million people die each year as a result of road traffic accidents, and many more are injured. In Indonesia, traffic accidents are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and the number of accidents is increasing every year.

Methodology

This study used a descriptive observational method with a retrospective study design, relying on medical record data. The sample size was 261 patients, chosen through the total sampling method and met the inclusion criteria without the exclusion criteria. The data were collected from the medical records of patients who were treated at the Emergency Department of Adam Malik Hospital in 2015.

Results

The results of this study showed that the majority of traffic accident victims were male (71.6%) with an age range between 12 to 25 years (46.7%). Most of them worked as entrepreneurs (28.4%) and acted as drivers (74.3%), and the majority used two-wheeled motorized vehicles (82.4%). In terms of emergency level, 47.1% of patients were in priority I (red), signifying critical conditions. Almost all victims suffered serious injuries (99.6%), with the most common injuries to the head (81.6%) and broken bones (24.5%).

Discussion

The results of this study confirm that patients who were victims of traffic accidents who came to the Emergency Room of Haji Adam Malik Hospital were mostly male, young age, with the professional profession, and most were motorcycle drivers. High levels of emergency and serious types of injuries show the importance of rapid treatment and appropriate referrals for further treatment at the hospital. This study provides a clear picture of the demographic and clinical characteristics of victims of traffic accidents, which can be the basis for better traffic health and safety policy planning.

Analysis and Implications

The characteristics found in this study provide important insights for stakeholders in the field of health and transportation safety. The high proportion of men and teenage patients shows that this group is more vulnerable to traffic accidents. Factors such as lifestyle, driving experience, and the use of motorized vehicles may contribute to the high number of accidents among them. Therefore, an educational and awareness program is needed to reduce the risk of accidents, especially among teenagers and motorcycle drivers.

In addition, a type of injury that often occurs, such as head injury and fracture, emphasizes the need for rapid and effective medical treatment. Hospitals and medical personnel must be prepared with an emergency treatment protocol for the injury. This study also encouraged increased prevention efforts, such as driving safety campaigns and road infrastructure improvements to create a safer environment for road users.

Conclusion

By understanding the characteristics of patients, the authorities and medical professionals can design more targeted interventions, as well as increasing public awareness of the importance of traffic safety. This study provides a valuable contribution to the field of traffic health and safety, and its findings can be used to inform policy and practice.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Educational and awareness programs: Educational and awareness programs should be implemented to reduce the risk of accidents, especially among teenagers and motorcycle drivers.
Rapid and effective medical treatment: Hospitals and medical personnel must be prepared with an emergency treatment protocol for the injury.
Increased prevention efforts: Increased prevention efforts, such as driving safety campaigns and road infrastructure improvements, should be implemented to create a safer environment for road users.
Targeted interventions: Targeted interventions should be designed to address the specific needs of vulnerable groups, such as teenagers and motorcycle drivers.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Retrospective study design: The study used a retrospective study design, which may be subject to recall bias.
Limited sample size: The sample size was limited to 261 patients, which may not be representative of the larger population.
Data collection: The data were collected from medical records, which may not be comprehensive or accurate.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Prospective studies: Prospective studies should be conducted to investigate the incidence and characteristics of traffic accidents.
Large sample size: Larger sample sizes should be used to increase the generalizability of the findings.
Multicenter studies: Multicenter studies should be conducted to investigate the characteristics of traffic accidents in different settings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides a valuable contribution to the field of traffic health and safety, and its findings can be used to inform policy and practice. The results of this study highlight the importance of rapid treatment and appropriate referrals for further treatment at the hospital. The study also emphasizes the need for targeted interventions, such as educational and awareness programs, to reduce the risk of accidents, especially among teenagers and motorcycle drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Traffic Accidents and Their Prevention

Q: What are the main causes of traffic accidents?

A: The main causes of traffic accidents include human, vehicle, environmental, and road conditions. These factors can be mostly prevented, and their prevention is crucial to reduce the number of deaths and disabilities.

Q: Who is most vulnerable to traffic accidents?

A: The results of this study show that the majority of traffic accident victims were male (71.6%) with an age range between 12 to 25 years (46.7%). This group is more vulnerable to traffic accidents due to factors such as lifestyle, driving experience, and the use of motorized vehicles.

Q: What are the most common types of injuries sustained in traffic accidents?

A: The most common types of injuries sustained in traffic accidents include head injuries (81.6%) and broken bones (24.5%). These types of injuries are often serious and require rapid and effective medical treatment.

Q: What can be done to prevent traffic accidents?

A: Several measures can be taken to prevent traffic accidents, including:

Educational and awareness programs: Educational and awareness programs should be implemented to reduce the risk of accidents, especially among teenagers and motorcycle drivers.
Rapid and effective medical treatment: Hospitals and medical personnel must be prepared with an emergency treatment protocol for the injury.
Increased prevention efforts: Increased prevention efforts, such as driving safety campaigns and road infrastructure improvements, should be implemented to create a safer environment for road users.
Targeted interventions: Targeted interventions should be designed to address the specific needs of vulnerable groups, such as teenagers and motorcycle drivers.

Q: What is the role of hospitals and medical personnel in preventing traffic accidents?

A: Hospitals and medical personnel play a crucial role in preventing traffic accidents by providing rapid and effective medical treatment. They must be prepared with an emergency treatment protocol for the injury and provide appropriate referrals for further treatment.

Q: What is the importance of traffic safety policy planning?

A: Traffic safety policy planning is crucial to reduce the number of deaths and disabilities caused by traffic accidents. By understanding the characteristics of patients, authorities and medical professionals can design more targeted interventions and increase public awareness of the importance of traffic safety.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

Retrospective study design: The study used a retrospective study design, which may be subject to recall bias.
Limited sample size: The sample size was limited to 261 patients, which may not be representative of the larger population.
Data collection: The data were collected from medical records, which may not be comprehensive or accurate.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on:

Prospective studies: Prospective studies should be conducted to investigate the incidence and characteristics of traffic accidents.
Large sample size: Larger sample sizes should be used to increase the generalizability of the findings.
Multicenter studies: Multicenter studies should be conducted to investigate the characteristics of traffic accidents in different settings.

Q: What can individuals do to stay safe on the road?

A: Individuals can take several measures to stay safe on the road, including:

Wearing seatbelts: Wearing seatbelts can reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash.
Following traffic rules: Following traffic rules, such as speed limits and right-of-way rules, can reduce the risk of accidents.
Avoiding distractions: Avoiding distractions, such as using a phone or eating while driving, can reduce the risk of accidents.
Maintaining a safe following distance: Maintaining a safe following distance can reduce the risk of accidents.

Q: What can governments do to improve road safety?

A: Governments can take several measures to improve road safety, including:

Implementing traffic safety laws: Implementing traffic safety laws, such as seatbelt laws and speed limit laws, can reduce the risk of accidents.
Improving road infrastructure: Improving road infrastructure, such as installing guardrails and improving lighting, can reduce the risk of accidents.
Increasing public awareness: Increasing public awareness of the importance of traffic safety can reduce the risk of accidents.
Providing education and training: Providing education and training on traffic safety can reduce the risk of accidents.