@article{ref1,
title="Child injuries reported in communities receiving a road infrastructure intervention in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Safety-2016 abstract #703)",
journal="Injury prevention",
year="2016",
author="Ederer, David and Mills-Tettey, Ayikai and Kalolo, Simon and Guerrero, Alex and Witte, Jeffrey",
volume="22",
number="Suppl 2",
pages="A252-A252",
abstract="Background School Area Road Safety Assessments and Improvements (SARSAI) is a community-based road traffic injury prevention program that combines minor infrastructure improvements with road safety education at primary schools. In 2015, SARSAI was implemented in 9 schools in Dar es Salaam. We report the results of a pre-intervention population-based survey conducted to establish a baseline of child road traffic injuries in communities near schools eligible for the intervention.   Methods A household census was conducted in a sample of 22 communities around schools eligible for SARSAI, including 15,480 parents or guardians of children ages 5-16. Parents or guardians were asked basic demographic information about children in the household, and if any children had been involved in a road traffic crash in the past year. If a child had been injured or killed in a crash, a detailed questionnaire was given to the parent or guardian to collect information on the circumstances of the injury, health outcomes, and long-term functional status. Data were collected over the 3 months preceding the intervention.   Results The survey identified 199 child road traffic injuries in the past year. About 83.4% of injuries required medical attention. Three injuries resulted in permanent disability, and 7 children were killed by road traffic crashes. Legs (38.2%), head (22.6%), or arms (15.6%) were the most common body areas injured. Most injuries (62.4%) occurred while walking to school and most resulted from a crash with a motorcycle (48%) or private car (24.5%).   Conclusions Road traffic injuries were a substantial problem among primary school students. Interventions, such as SARSAI, to protect children walking to school from motor vehicles have the potential to reduce injuries. A post-intervention survey conducted one year after the intervention will provide insight into the effectiveness of the SARSAI program.   Abstract from Safety 2016 World Conference, 18-21 September 2016; Tampere, Finland.   Copyright © 2016 The author(s), Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions   <p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1353-8047",
doi="10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042156.703",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042156.703"
}