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Application of Guidelines for the Estimation of the Burden of Road Traffic Injuries in Pakistan

Tayyeb Imran Masud
Health Services Academy, Pakistan

Nasir Farooq
Ayub Medical College, Pakistan

GOAL

To develop and apply a methodology to estimate the risk and magnitude of RTIs from available data sources, which would be applicable and affordable in low- and middle-income countries

OBJECTIVES

• To assess the adequacy and quality of existing data sources for the estimation of the   burden of RTIs
• To develop guidelines for systematically accessing and reviewing the reliability and  validity of data sources / databases in a country for road traffic injuries
• To establish guidelines for the estimation of the burden of road traffic injuries
• To pilot test the guidelines to estimate the burden of road traffic injuries in a developing country, Pakistan

METHODS AND RESULTS

A systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature on RTIs and burden of disease (BOD) studies was carried out in order to identify variables and available data sources for road traffic injuries in low- and middle-income countries.  Leading public health and transportation experts were then consulted regarding the management of the various types of data.  These activities resulted in the following guidelines:

1. Identify all existing data sources and variables
2. Evaluate data sources
3. Examine data with respect to its validity and reliability
4. Decide on the inclusion or exclusion of data
5. Standardize the data
6. Generate nati onal level estimates

Although the application of the guidelines may be done at a local/decentralized level, it is suggested that a central team may be setup. The team should include: a public health scientist, a demographer, a social scientist, and a statistician.

Application of guidelines in Pakistan:

A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify available data on RTIs in Pakistan. 

Relevant Ministries, Police, Hospitals and NGOs in the country were then solicited for routine data on RTIs.  Once all the available data had been collected and tabulated, it was carefully examined by the study team and local experts who assessed the validity and reliability of the data.  Decisions were then taken to include or exclude the data based on the evaluation.  All data included in the study were then standardized to common denominators and used to compile estimates of the burden of road traffic injuries in Pakistan.    

Table 1:  Burden of RTIs in Pakistan

RECOMMENDATIONS

• The list of data sources at the country level requires careful compilation with repeated updates as more information becomes available.

• Check definitions of data (fatality, injury) as they may vary by source.

Application of the guidelines should provide evidence of whether the available data can be used for national estimates.

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