title: Severe road traffic injuries in Kenya, quality of care and access.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Road traffic injuries (RTI) are on increase in developing countries. Health care facilities are poorly equipped to provide the needed services.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Determine access and quality of care for RTI casualties in Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey
  
  
  METHODS
  53 large and medium size private, faith-based and public hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-patient road traffic crash casualties and health personnel in the selected hospitals were interviewed on availability of emergency care and resources. Onsite verification of status was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 310 RTI casualties interviewed, 72.3%, 15.6% and 12.2% were in public, faith-based and private hospitals, respectively. Peak age of the injured was 15-49 years. First aid was availed to 16.0% of casualties. Unknown persons transported 76.5% of the injured. Police and ambulance vehicles transported 6.1% and 1.4%, respectively. 51.9% reached health facilities within 30 minutes of crash and medical care provided to 66.2% within one hour. 40.8% of recipient facilities were adequately prepared for RTI emergencies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most RTI casualties were young and from poor backgrounds. Training of motorists and general public in first aid should be considered in RTI control initiatives. Availability of basic trauma care medical supplies in public health facilities was highly deficient.
authors: Nairobi Clinical Epidemiology Unit, University of Nairobi, Nairobi. william.macharia@aku.edu
authors: W M
authors: WM
authors: Macharia
authors: E K
authors: EK
authors: Njeru
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Muli-Musiime
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Nantulya
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult