title: The case for improving road safety in Pacific Islands: a population-based study from Fiji (TRIP 6).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the incidence and demographic characteristics associated with road traffic injuries (RTIs) resulting in deaths or hospital admission for 12 hours or more in Viti Levu, Fiji.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of the prospective population-based Fiji Injury Surveillance in Hospitals database (October 2005 - September 2006).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 374 RTI cases identified (17% of all injuries), 72% were males and one third were aged 15-29 years. RTI fatalities (10.3 per 100,000 per year) were higher among Indians compared to Fijians. Two-thirds of deaths (largely ascribed to head, chest and abdominal trauma) occurred before hospital admission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While the RTI fatality rate was comparable to the global average for high-income countries, the level of motorisation in Fiji is considerably lower. To avert rising RTI rates with increasing motorisation, Fiji requires a robust road safety strategy alongside effective trauma-care services and a reliable population-based RTI surveillance system.
authors.affiliation: Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, New Zealand. j.herman@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Shanthi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ameratunga
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wainiqolo
authors.forename: Berlin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kafoa
authors.forename: Eddie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McCaig
authors.forename: Rod
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005367:Fiji / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult