%0 Journal Article
%T Underutilization of occupant restraint systems in motor vehicle injury crashes: a quantitative analysis from Qatar
%J Traffic injury prevention
%D 2016
%A El-Menyar, Ayman
%A Consunji, Rafael J.
%A Asim, Mohammad
%A Abdelrahman, Husham
%A Zarour, Ahmad
%A Parchani, Ashok
%A Peralta, Ruben
%A Al-Thani, Hassan
%V 17
%N 3
%P 284-291
%X INTRODUCTION: Restraint systems (seatbelts and airbags) are important tools that improve vehicle occupant's safety during motor vehicle crashes (MVC). We aimed to identify the pattern and impact of the utilization of passenger restraint systems on the outcomes of MVCs victims in Qatar. <br><br>METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted for all admitted patients who sustained MVC-related injuries between March 2011 and March 2014 inclusive. <br><br>RESULTS: Out of 2730 road traffic injury cases, 1830 (67%) sustained MVC-related injuries; of whom 88% were young males, 70% were expatriates and 53% were drivers. The use of seatbelts and airbags were documented in 26% and 2.5% of cases, respectively. Unrestrained passengers had greater injury severity scores, longer hospital stays and higher rates of pneumonia and mortality compared to restrained passengers (p=0.001 for all). There were 311(17%) ejected cases. Seatbelt use was significantly lower and the mortality rate was 3-fold higher in the ejected as compared to the non-ejected group (p=0.001). The overall mortality was 8.3%. On multivariate regression analysis, predictors of not using a seatbelt were being a front seat passenger, driver, Qatari national and young age. Unrestrained males had a 3-fold increase in mortality in comparison to unrestrained females. The risk of severe injury (relative risk 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49-2.26, p=0.001) and death (relative risk 4.13, 95% CI: 2.31-7.38, p=0.001) were significantly greater among unrestrained passengers. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The non-use of seatbelts use is associated with worse outcomes during MVCs in Qatar. Our study highlights the lower rate of seatbelt compliance in young car occupants that results in more severe injuries, longer hospital stays and higher mortality rates. Therefore, we recommend more effective seatbelt awareness and education campaigns, the enforcement of current seatbelt wearing laws, their extension to all vehicle occupants, and the adoption of proven interventions that will assure sustained behavioral changes towards improvements in seatbelt use in Qatar.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Informa - Taylor and Francis Group
%@ 1538-9588
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2015.1069820