Factors Contributing To Motor Vehicle Accidents And Severity Of Related Injuries In Oshana Region, Namibia

ABSTRACT

Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs) are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. Namibia is one of the countries with the highest MVAs fatality rate, 23.9/100 000. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.25 million people die every year due to MVAs. Despite having a well-developed road network, MVAs are the third highest cause of death in Namibia. This study was conducted in the Oshana Region, Namibia to determine the factors contributing to MVAs and the classification of the severity of related injuries, to analyze them and to help inform plans to develop preventative measures.

A secondary data set was used to conduct a descriptive analytical cross-sectional study. Data on all accidents reported in the region from 2013 to 2015 were captured. Data were collected from the hard-copy files archived in the Traffic Law Enforcement department of the Oshana Regional Police station.

The study included 5296 MVAs. Of all passengers and drivers in MVAs, 86% (n=6544) were male and 14 % (n=1072) female. Furthermore, most accidents had occurred between 12h00 and 18h00. The mean age of drivers and passengers involved in accidents was identified as 38 years. A risk of serious injuries was found to be in accidents which had happened between 12H00 and 18h00, OR 1.23 (95% CI, 1.00, 1.51) P= 0.047 and risk of fatalities between 24H00 and 06H00, OR2.76 (95% CI, 1.65, 4.61) P= 0.005.

Upon reviewing the factors of MVAs, we identified that accidents are more common in the middle age group, (15 to 45 years of age). The severity of injuries increases, among

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others, not having road safety awareness and not abiding by road safety rules and driving under the influence of alcohol. This study concluded that human attitudes and people between 15-45 years of age caused more MVA’s, while light delivery vehicles and sedan motors were mostly involved in MVA’s. It was further concluded that fatalities and serious injuries in MVAs were differently distributed among the contributing factors investigated in this study.

This study recommends road safety awareness among road all users especially drivers as well as passengers aged between 15 to 45 years.

Key words: Motor Vehicle Accidents, factors, Severity, Oshana Region