RESUMEN
This study was undertaken to fill the information gap by exploring pedestrian behavior at footbridges in the Greater Accra and Kumasi Metropolitan areas of Ghana. Further, the study modelled the behavior of 69,840 pedestrians at the footbridges using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Pedestrians were observed as users and non-users of seven selected footbridges in the morning (7:00 am-9:00 am), afternoon (11:00 am-1:00 pm), and evening (3:00 pm-5:00 pm) periods for seven consecutive days (Monday to Sunday). Selected footbridges were characterized by traffic generators as schools, shopping malls, bus stops, office complexes, and restaurants in different matrices. The results showed that 30.7% of the observed pedestrians did not use the footbridges, males and young pedestrians were more likely not to use the footbridges as opposed to females and the elderly with more than half of observed pedestrians carrying luggage or load. Footbridge users were more likely to talk and hold phones than non-users and the elderly were more likely to run and ride compared to young pedestrians. Officials of the National Road Safety Authority should carry out effective public education on pedestrian safety targeting males and young pedestrians to encourage the use of pedestrian footbridges.
Asunto(s)
Peatones , Masculino , Femenino , Humanos , Anciano , Seguridad , Ghana , Análisis de Clases Latentes , Accidentes de TránsitoRESUMEN
Introduction: the increasing use of motorcycles in northern Ghana is associated with a high incidence of motorcycle crashes and resultant head injuries. This study sought to determine factors associated with head injuries among survivors of motorcycle crashes in northern Ghana. Methods: a prospective unmatched case-control study was conducted at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). A total of 326 cases (victims who suffered a head injury with or without other injuries) and 294 controls (persons who suffered various injuries except for head injury) from motorcycle crashes were consecutively sampled at TTH from December 15, 2019, to May 15, 2020. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview patients in addition to medical records review. Factors associated with head injury were examined using multivariable logistic regression at p<0.05 and a 95% confidence interval. Results: the prevalence of head injury was 53.03% among of 660 survivors of motorcycle crashes. The majority of the patients were young males aged 15-44 years. The rate of helmet use was lower in cases (12.88%) than in controls (57.82%) (p<0.001). Factors associated with head injury were not wearing helmet (AOR= 9.80, 95% CI: 6.22, 15.43), male (AOR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.85), student (AOR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.91), and alcohol use within 24 hours (AOR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.70). Conclusion: non-use of helmet and male gender significantly increased the risk of head injury risk in this study. Alcohol use and being a student were associated with lower odds of head injuries. Motorcycle safety efforts in the study area should emphasize helmet promotion.
Asunto(s)
Traumatismos Craneocerebrales , Motocicletas , Humanos , Masculino , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Accidentes de Tránsito , Estudios Prospectivos , Ghana/epidemiología , Traumatismos Craneocerebrales/epidemiología , Dispositivos de Protección de la CabezaRESUMEN
Travel by bus is an efficient, cost-effective, safe and preferred means of intercity transport in many advanced countries. On the contrary, there is huge public sentiment about the safety records of intercity buses in low- and middle-income countries given the increasing bus-involved road traffic crashes and high fatality rates. This study sought to model the injury severity of intercity bus transport in Ghana using the random parameters multinomial logit with heterogeneity in means and variances modelling technique to account for unobserved heterogeneity in the dataset. The dataset involves crash data from the 575 km long Accra-Kumasi-Sunyani-Gonokrom highway in Ghana. Four discrete crash outcome categories were considered in this study: fatal injury, hospitalized injury, minor injury, and no injury. The study observed that crashes involving pedestrians, unlicensed drivers, and drivers and passengers aged more than 60 years have a higher probability of sustaining fatal injuries. Also, speeding, wrong overtaking, careless driving and inexperienced drivers were associated with fatal injury outcomes on the highway. The incidence of intercity bus transport crashes involving larger buses and minibuses were also found to more likely result in fatalities. The probability of hospitalized injury increased for crashes that occurred in a village setting. Given these findings, the study proposed improvement of the road infrastructure, enforcing seatbelt availability and use in intercity buses, increased enforcement of the traffic rules and regulations to deter driver recklessness and speeding as well as improving the luminance of the highways. Additionally, apps that have features for customers to rate intercity bus operators, the quality of services provided, and also have the option to report reckless driving activities can be developed to promote safe and inclusive public transport in the country.
Asunto(s)
Conducción de Automóvil , Peatones , Heridas y Lesiones , Accidentes de Tránsito , Ghana/epidemiología , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Vehículos a Motor , Heridas y Lesiones/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Seat belt and child restraint use is noted to be poor in developing countries such as Ghana. An unobstructive observational survey guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour was therefore conducted to assess seat belt and child restraint use in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. The observational survey was carried out at the entrances of four nursery schools in medium and high class residential areas in the Metropolis to determine seat belt use by drivers and accompanied child being transported/dropped off in school. The results revealed that a total of 1922 vehicles comprising 826(43.0%) cars, 350(18.2%) SUV, 644(33.5%) taxis and 102(5.3%) mini buses with 3844 vehicle occupants comprising 1922 drivers and child apiece were successively observed. The majority of the drivers (53.1%) did not use the seat belt with 13.2% of the children been restrained. The gender of the driver has a relationship with the seat belt use. The vehicle type has a relationship with the child restraint use and the gender of the driver has a significant relationship with child restraint use. The enforcement of the Road Traffic Act 2004 and Road Traffic Regulation 2180 by the officials of Motor Transport and Traffic Department(MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service in collaboration with National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) can establish social norms that may have a greater potential to enhance seat belt and child restraint use in the Metropolis.