Prehospital Management of Trauma and Triage

**3**

**1. Introduction**

**Chapter 1**

in Ghana

**Abstract**

Pre-Hospital and Trauma Care to

Road Traffic Accident Victims:

Experiences of Residents Living

along Accident-Prone Highways

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) and associated injuries are a major public health problem in developing countries. The timely emergency pre-hospital care and subsequent transportation of accident victims to the health facility may help reduce the accident and injury outcomes. Available evidence suggests that RTA victims stand a greater chance of survival if attended to and cared for in a timely manner. This exploratory qualitative study set out to explore the experiences of residents of 12 communities along the Kasoa-Mankessim highway in Ghana (an accident-prone highway) in administering emergency pre-hospital care to RTA victims. We utilised data from a purposive sample of 80 respondents (i.e., people who have ever attended to RTA victims) from the communities through structured interview schedules. We found that the majority of the respondents had little knowledge and/or professional training in first-aid and emergency pre-hospital care to RTA victims. The skills and knowledge exhibited were gained through years of rescue services to RTA victims. The "scoop and run" method of first-aid care was predominant among the respondents. We recommend regular community member (layperson first responder) sensitisation and training on emergency pre-hospital care for RTA victims.

**Keywords:** road traffic accident victims, emergency pre-hospital care, layperson first

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are associated with an estimated 1.25 million deaths globally each year with about 50 million others injured in the process [1]. The Ghanaian situation follows a similar trend. An estimated 1800 people are killed in

According to the WHO Global Burden of Disease project 2002, road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the 10th leading cause of death for all age groups globally, accounting for 1,183,492 deaths. More specifically, RTIs is the second and third leading cause of

road traffic accidents yearly with almost 14,500 others injured [2].

death for persons aged 5–29 years and 30–44 years, respectively [3, 4].

*Enoch F. Sam, David K. Blay, Samuel Antwi,* 

*Constance Anaafi and Juliet A. Adoma*

responders, Kasoa-Mankessim highway, Ghana

#### **Chapter 1**
