To assess sociodemographic profile of roadside accident victims.

Using purposive sampling technique 100 patients were enrolled in the study. A questionnaire consisting of personal identification data, personal habits and details related to occurrence of accident was used to collect the data.

More than half subjects (59%) were in age group of 20 to 40 years with mean age being 36.5 years ± 14.2. Majority of the accident victims (84%) were male. More than half (67%) belonged to Hindu religion, educated up to secondary level (65%), were married (54%) and were rural habitants (54%). Twenty-six percent of subjects had the history of drinking alcohol. Out of these 15 subjects (57.7%) had consumed alcohol at the time of accident. Sixty-eight percent were driving two wheeler; only 27% were wearing protective equipment (helmet/seat belt) at the time of accident. Approximately one-third (39%) had 6 to 15 years of driving experience. Half (51%) of the accidents occurred in evening hours and on Saturday and Sunday.

The present study reflects that there is need to plan strategies to decrease risk of accidents and inculcate healthy driving habits in the vulnerable citizens.

Aggarwal A, Kaur S, Dhillon MS. Sociodemographic Profile of Road Traffic Accident Victims Admitted at Emergency Surgical OPD of a Tertiary Care Hospital. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2012;46(1):15-18.