Spatial distribution and risk mapping of traumatic brain injuries caused by road traffic accidents among patients admitted to the National Center of Neurological Sciences, Sudan

Abstract

PURPOSE: The devastating consequences of both road traffic accidents and traumatic brain injuries on individuals and health systems have listed them among the top challenges of public health equally in developed and developing countries. This study aimed to develop the geographical predictive risk map and identify the possible risk factors for traumatic brain injuries caused by road traffic accidents among patients admitted to a reference neurosurgical center in Khartoum State, Sudan. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the National Centre of Neurological Sciences. Four hundred patients were selected through a purposive convenience sampling technique after obtaining ethical clearance. Data included sociodemographic information, clinical presentation, investigation findings, management, and outcomes. Data were extracted through an Epi Info 7-designed template. The statistical analysis was performed through SPSS 23, and all the statistical tests were considered significant when p < 0.05. ArcGIS 10.3 was used to determine the spatial distribution of traumatic brain injury secondary to road traffic accidents, and a predictive risk map was elaborated based on the kriging method. RESULTS: Road traffic traumatic brain injuries represented 43.8% of the total traumatic brain injuries admitted to the National Centre of Neurological Sciences in 2016. The prevalence of road traffic traumatic brain injuries is estimated at 10.9/1,000,000 of the total population. The belt of high risk areas of road traffic traumatic brain injuries in Sudan going from east to central Sudan included Red Sea, Kassala, Khartoum, El Gezira, Sennar, Gedaref, and White Nile States with extension of the high risk area in the Northern, North and East Darfur, Western Kordofan States and the Northern part of Blue Nile State. CONCLUSION: Road traffic injuries represent a huge socioeconomic burden; hence, research tools, including but not limited to Geographic Information Systems risk mapping, can greatly promote the establishment of a comprehensive policy for road safety, direct health planning, and resource allocation.