Crash and road-user characteristics in non-fatal motor vehicle collisions in Nairobi, Kenya : short research report

Two hundred consecutive road traffic trauma (RTT) admissions logged at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Nairobi, Kenya, between February, 1st 1999 and April, 30th 1999 were evaluated for crash circumstances and injury characteristics. Information on road-user category, day and time of injury, and type of vehicle involved was obtained through patient interviews. A subset of 180 patients aged 16 years and older was compared to a random sample of 179 non-traffic trauma patients (NTT), and 165 non-trauma (NT) patients hospitalised over the same duration. The groups were compared for age, gender, occupation, alcohol use and marital status. The proportions of these variables in the three groups were analysed using both univariate and multivariate methods. The level of significance was set at p \u3c0.05. Most (73%) road crashes occurred during the day and involved pedestrians (65.5%). Most collisions occurred on major roads (52.0%) leading into the city and involved cars (43%) and public service \u27matatu\u27, minibus taxis (25.5%). Univariate analysis showed that male sex, younger age, single marital status, employment and alcohol use predicted admission for RTT. Young males were disproportionately represented in all trauma cases. Road crashes mainly affected pedestrians and in a quarter of cases, involved the matatu. Matatu intervention and promotion of pedestrian safety may provide important tools for responsive road policy