Analysis of direct medical expenses resulting from road traffic injuries in the city of Tabriz

Abstract

Abstract Background: road crashes as a major global public health problem costs 3% of most countries and 5% of Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is predicted that without sustained action, road traffic crashes will become the seventh leading cause of death by 2030 (WHO). Objective: The aims of this study are 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 and Materials: Trauma injury admissions due to RTI in Imam Reza hospital during 2014 investigated in terms of etiology and the direct medical costs. Data collection tool is a researcher-made checklist used by relevant experts after being confirmed in terms of face validity. All information on direct medical costs are extracted from several sources including hospital, database of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, disaster management and emergency, and public and private physiotherapy clinics across the city. Results: Review of hospital records showed that the mean age of patients is 34 ± 17.3 years old with 67.9% male and 32.1% of patients were female. In addition, 79.2% of patients were treated on an outpatient basis and 20.8% were treated on a hospitalization basis (hospitalization or death). The mean of time of inpatient and outpatient hospitalization for injuries were 3 hours 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 accounted for 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%)

Conclusions: The results showed that direct medical costs in Tabriz during 2014 were equal to 0.1% of GDP, which is a considerable amount. High economic and social costs of road accidents and its harmful physical and psychological effects on individuals and community requires 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. Keywords: Road traffic injuries, direct medical costs, hospital, trauma, Tabriz, Iran