scholarly journals An Exploratory Qualitative Study of the Prevention of Road Traffic Collisions and Neurotrauma in India: Perspectives From Key Informants in an Indian Industrial City (Visakhapatnam)

Author(s):  
Santhani M Selveindran ◽  
Gurusinghe Samarutilake ◽  
K Madhu Narayana Rao ◽  
Jogi Patisappu ◽  
Christine Hill ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Despite current preventative strategies, road traffic collisions (RTCs) and resultant neurotrauma remain a major problem in India. This study seeks to explore local perspectives in the context within which RTCs take place and identify potential suggestions for improving the current status.Methods: Ten semi-structured interviews were carried out with purposively selected key informants from the city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Participants were from one of the following categories: commissioning stakeholders; service providers; community or local patient group/advocacy group representatives. Transcripts from these interviews were analysed qualitatively using the Framework Method.Results: Participants felt RTCs are a serious problem in India and a leading cause of neurotrauma. Major risk factors identified related to user behaviour such as speeding and not using personal safety equipment, and the user state, namely drink driving and underage driving. Other reported risk factors included poor infrastructure, moving obstacles on the road, overloaded vehicles and substandard safety equipment. Participants discussed how RTCs affect not only the health of the victim, but are also a burden to the healthcare system, families, and the national economy. Although there are ongoing preventative strategies being carried out by both the government and the community, challenges to successful prevention emerged from the interviews which included resource deficiencies, inconsistent implementation, lack of appropriate action, poor governance, lack of knowledge and the mindset of the community and entities involved in prevention. Recommendations were given on how prevention of RTCs and neurotrauma might be improved, addressing the areas of education and awareness, research, the pre-hospital and trauma systems, enforcement and legislation, and road engineering, in addition to building collaborations and changing mindsets.Conclusions: RTCs remain a major problem in India and a significant cause of neurotrauma. Addressing the identified gaps and shortfalls in current approaches and reinforcing collective responsibility towards road safety would be the way forward in improving prevention and reducing the burden.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Santhani M Selveindran ◽  
Gurusinghe D. N. Samarutilake ◽  
K. Madhu Narayana Rao ◽  
Jogi V. Pattisapu ◽  
Christine Hill ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite current preventative strategies, road traffic collisions (RTCs) and resultant neurotrauma remain a major problem in India. This study seeks to explore local perspectives in the context within which RTCs take place and identify potential suggestions for improving the current status. Methods Ten semi-structured interviews were carried out with purposively selected key informants from the city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Participants were from one of the following categories: commissioning stakeholders; service providers; community or local patient group/advocacy group representatives. Transcripts from these interviews were analysed qualitatively using the Framework Method. Results Participants felt RTCs are a serious problem in India and a leading cause of neurotrauma. Major risk factors identified related to user behaviour such as speeding and not using personal safety equipment, and the user state, namely drink driving and underage driving. Other reported risk factors included poor infrastructure, moving obstacles on the road such as other vehicles, pedestrians and animals, overloaded vehicles and substandard safety equipment. Participants discussed how RTCs affect not only the health of the casualty, but are also a burden to the healthcare system, families, and the national economy. Although there are ongoing preventative strategies being carried out by both the government and the community, challenges to successful prevention emerged from the interviews which included resource deficiencies, inconsistent implementation, lack of appropriate action, poor governance, lack of knowledge and the mindset of the community and entities involved in prevention. Recommendations were given on how prevention of RTCs and neurotrauma might be improved, addressing the areas of education and awareness, research, the pre-hospital and trauma systems, enforcement and legislation, and road engineering, in addition to building collaborations and changing mindsets. Conclusions RTCs remain a major problem in India and a significant cause of neurotrauma. Addressing the identified gaps and shortfalls in current approaches and reinforcing collective responsibility towards road safety would be the way forward in improving prevention and reducing the burden.


Author(s):  
Wilfred Kok Hoe Mok ◽  
Noran Naqiah Hairi ◽  
Caryn Mei Hsien Chan ◽  
Feisul Idzwan Mustapha ◽  
Thamil Arasu Saminathan ◽  
...  

(1) Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased tremendously in the ASEAN region, including Malaysia. In Malaysia, the National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases (2015–2025) provides the overall framework for its response to the non-communicable diseases (NCD) epidemic. Preventing childhood obesity is one of the key strategies for early intervention to prevent NCDs. The objective of this research is to examine the current status of policy interventions in addressing childhood obesity in Malaysia. (2) Methods: A panel of 22 stakeholders and experts from Malaysia, representing the government, industry, academia and non-governmental organizations, were sampled using a modified Delphi technique. Data were collected using a modified NCD scorecard under four domains (governance, risk factors, surveillance and research and health systems response). A heat map was used to measure the success of the four realms of the NCD scorecard. For each domain of the NCD scorecard, the final score was grouped in quintiles. (3) Results: A total of 22 participants responded, comprising of eight (36.4%) males and 14 (63.4%) females. All the domains measured in implementing policies related to childhood obesity were of low progress. Nine governance indicators were reported as 22.5% (low progress), four in the risk factors domain, and two in the surveillance. This shows that timely and accurate monitoring, participatory review and evaluation, and effective remedies are necessary for a country’s surveillance system. (4) Conclusion: Although Malaysia has published several key strategic documents relating to childhood obesity and implemented numerous policy interventions, we have identified several gaps that must be addressed to leverage the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in addressing childhood obesity in the country.


Author(s):  
Hongwei Hsiao ◽  
Joonho Chang ◽  
Peter Simeonov

Objective: This study reports current status of knowledge and challenges associated with the emergency vehicle (police car, fire truck, and ambulance) crashes, with respect to the major contributing risk factors. Background: Emergency vehicle crashes are a serious nationwide problem, causing injury and death to emergency responders and citizens. Understanding the underlying causes of these crashes is critical for establishing effective strategies for reducing the occurrence of similar incidents. Method: We reviewed the broader literature associated with the contributing factors for emergency vehicle crashes: peer-reviewed journal papers; and reports, policies, and manuals published by government agencies, universities, and research institutes. Results: Major risk factors for emergency vehicle crashes identified in this study were organized into four categories: driver, task, vehicle, and environmental factors. Also, current countermeasures and interventions to mitigate the hazards of emergency vehicle crashes were discussed, and new ideas for future studies were suggested. Conclusion: Risk factors, control measures, and knowledge gaps relevant to emergency vehicle crashes were presented. Six research concepts are offered for the human factors community to address. Among the topics are emergency vehicle driver risky behavior carryover between emergency response and return from a call, distraction in emergency vehicle driving, in-vehicle driver assistance technologies, vehicle red light running, and pedestrian crash control. Application: This information is helpful for emergency vehicle drivers, safety practitioners, public safety agencies, and research communities to mitigate crash risks. It also offers ideas for researchers to advance technologies and strategies to further emergency vehicle safety on the road.


2001 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordi Calafell ◽  
Martin Pyne

The ever-increasing number of vehicles on the road has created a serious demand for traffic information not only on the move but also at the planning stage of a journey. While on the move, the driver will be able to re-route his/her journey avoiding traffic congestion, but this information could be even more valuable before starting the journey. Today there are differences between the three main ITS markets (USA, Japan and Europe). Japan is leading the way, with the introduction in 1995 of the Vehicle Information Communication System (VICS), which is a free service. Vehicles are equipped with VICS receivers taking information from a network of road beacons installed on main roads, transmitting traffic flows by infrared rays, wave beacons, and FM multiplex broadcast. Europe has been involved in driver information systems from the early '90s when RDS was developed, which is another free service, and most of the car radios sold in Europe are able to process RDS signals. Since then, new free services have been developed – for example, RDS-TMC. In the UK, the private sector has been heavily involved recently, its major player being Trafficmaster. The Trafficmaster system is based on a network of traffic detection sensors, which covers all major UK motorways and most of the major A roads, with plans to expand into the continent. Trafficmaster collects road traffic flows and disseminates this information to its subscribers via a range of technologies, including GSM. The quality of the information supplied by the free and subscription services can be improved by being fully integrated with on-board navigation systems and by providing more detailed and wider types of information. All current methods are described/analysed and compared in this paper, with future enhancement highlighted. One of the main limitations lies in current data transmission routes, which are not fast enough to support the data required for an optimal use of the system. Some technologies available will potentially allow the many service providers to transmit information.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 268
Author(s):  
Jhon Hendri ◽  
Sudi Fahmi ◽  
Bahrun Azmi

But in reality, in the observations of the authors of the vehicles that we encountered, both four-wheeled and two-wheeled, almost every evening until evening, vehicles were found parked on the Flyover on the Sudirman street, Tuanku Tambusai, Sukarno Hatta and HR Subrantas. While the government has clearly provided a symbol of prohibition to stop on the bridge and in the traffic law it clearly states that everyone driving a motorized vehicle on the road is obliged to comply with the stopping and parking requirements. This is dangerous because the flyover is built only for passing vehicles and the vehicle is prohibited from parking or stopping along the body of the flyover because the flyover is not prepared not for stopping vehicles. This type of research is research conducted by identifying the law on how the effectiveness of the law applies in society. The conclusion is that the implementation of the prohibition on parking for motorized vehicle riders in Pekanbaru City flyovers based on Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation which results in disruption of road functions based on Law Number 22 of 2009 is less effective and maximal. This is because there are still many people who do not know about these regulations, Lack of Socialization of Law Number 22 Year 2009 from Law Enforcement Officials, Lack of firm law enforcement officials in implementing criminal sanctions, and Lack of Legal Awareness of the Community itself. Obstacles Faced in the Implementation of the Parking Prohibition for Motorized Vehicle Riders on Flyover in Pekanbaru City Based on Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation are the Legal Substance, Legal Structure, Legal Culture and Facilities or Facilities and the limited facilities and infrastructure. Efforts made to overcome obstacles in the Implementation of the Parking Prohibition for Motorized Vehicle Riders at Pekanbaru City Flyovers Based on Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation are that peace and traffic order is by fostering mutual assistance and assistance among the enforcement officers and the public, the public workers' office of transportation without neglecting their respective interests in the framework of increasing obedience and compliance, thus the Government's hope of improving services in traffic order in a peaceful and orderly condition in the regions can be realized. Apart from that, the implementation of traffic control, tranquility and orderliness can also be carried out by utilizing public facilities and facilities, increasing legal awareness, increasing the number of police personnel in the traffic sphere and repressive actions. Keywords: Implementation, No Parking, Flyover  Namun pada kenyataannya dalam pengamatan penulis kendaraan yang kami jumpai baik roda empat maupun roda dua, hampir setiap sore hingga malam hari ditemukan kendaraan yang parkir di Flyover yang ada dijalan Sudirman, Tuanku Tambusai, Sukarno Hatta dan HR Subrantas. Sementara pemerintah sudah dengan jelas memberikan simbol larangan untuk berhenti dijembatan tersebut serta didalam undang-undang lalu lintas tersebut dengan tegas mengatakan setiap orang yang mengemudikan kendaraan bermotor di jalan wajib mematuhi ketentuan berhenti dan parkir akan diberikan sanksi. Hal ini berbahaya karena Flyover tersebut dibangun hanya untuk kendaraan yang melintas dan kendaraan dilarang parkir atau berhenti di sepanjang badan jalan Flyover karena Flyover itu tidak disiapkan bukan untuk kendaraan yang berhenti. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian yang dilakukan dengan cara mengadakan identifikasi hukum bagaimana efektivitas hukum itu berlaku dalam masyarakat. Kesimpulan adalah Implementasi Larangan Parkir Bagi Pengendara Kendaraan Bermotor Di Flyover Kota Pekanbaru Berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 22 Tahun 2009 Tentang Lalu Lintas Dan Angkutan Jalan yang mengakibatkan terganggunya fungsi jalan berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 22 Tahun 2009 kurang efektif dan maksimal. Hal ini dikarenakan masih banyaknya masyarakat yang tidak mengetahui peraturan tersebut, Kurangnya Sosialisasi Undang-Undang Nomor 22 Tahun 2009 dari Aparat Penegak Hukum, Kurang tegasnya Aparat penegak Hukum dalam menerapkan Sanksi Pidana, Serta Kurangnya Kesadaran Hukum Masyarakat itu sendiri. Hambatan Yang Dihadapi Dalam Implementasi Larangan Parkir Bagi Pengendara Kendaraan Bermotor Di Flyover Kota Pekanbaru Berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 22 Tahun 2009 Tentang Lalu Lintas Dan Angkutan Jalan adalah Substansi Hukum, Struktur Hukum, Budaya Hukum dan Sarana atau Fasilitas dan masih terbatasnya sarana dan prasarana. Upaya yang dilakukan untuk mengatasi hambatan dalam Implementasi Larangan Parkir Bagi Pengendara Kendaraan Bermotor Di Flyover Kota Pekanbaru Berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 22 Tahun 2009 Tentang Lalu Lintas Dan Angkutan Jalan adalah bahwa ketentraman dan ketertiban lalu lintas adalah dengan membina saling membantu dan menolong diantara aparat penertiban dan masyarakat, dinas perhubungan dinas pekerja umum tanpa mengabaikan kepentingan masing-masing dalam rangka peningkatan ketaatan dan kepatuhan, dengan demikian harapan Pemerintah untuk meningkatkan pelayanan dalam ketertiban lalu lintas dalam keadaan tenteram dan tertib di daerah dapat terwujud. Selain itu pelaksanaan penertiban, ketentraman dan ketertiban lalu lintas juga dapat dilakukan dengan memanfaatkan sarana dan fasilitas umum, meningkatkan kesadaran hukum, Menambah Jumlah Personil Kepolisian di lingkup lalu lintas serta Tindakan represif.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Zhang ◽  
Zhihong Ding ◽  
Liya Qiu ◽  
An Li

Abstract Background Falls among older people have become a public health concern due to serious health consequences. Despite abundant literature on falls in older people, little is known about the rural-urban differentials in falls among older people in China. This research fills the voids of prior literature by investigating falls and the associated risk factors among Chinese seniors, with a particular focus on the rural-urban differences. Methods Data are from the 2010 wave of Chinese Longitudinal Survey on Urban and Rural Elderly. The analysis includes 16,393 respondents aged 65 and over, with 8440 and 7953 of them living in urban and rural areas, respectively. Descriptive analyses are performed to examine incidence, locations, circumstances and consequences of falls in older people. Regression analysis is used to investigate the effects of risk factors on falls among older people in urban and rural China. Results The incidence of falls is higher among rural than urban older people. In both settings, older people are more likely to fell outside of home. But common outdoor falls among rural and urban older people differ in terms of locations and circumstances. Urban older people are more likely to report falling on the road whereas their rural counterparts have experienced more falls in the yard. Falls occurring within homes or immediate home surroundings are also common; but few falls occurred in public areas. The rate of hospitalization of urban seniors after falling is higher than that of rural ones. Most risk factors of falls show similar than different effects on rural and urban elders’ risks of falling. Conclusions Incidence, locations, circumstances and consequences of falls vary among Chinese rural and urban older people. But most risk factors for falls show similar effects on rural and urban elders’ odds of falling. Implications drawn from this research provide suggestions for the government and local agencies to develop suitable fall prevention strategies which may well be applicable to other countries.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Chileshe ◽  
Neema Kavishe

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the Tanzanian practitioner’s readiness assessment for public–private partnership (PPP) adoption. This study is important as the readiness assessment enables the stakeholders to assess their capability and current status quo to implement new ideas such as PPPs.Design/methodology/approachUnderpinned by the theoretical lenses of innovation diffusion theory (IDT), this research undertakes semi-structured interviews with PPP practitioners within the Tanzanian affordable housing sector. The content analysis was used for the data as collected.Findings“Lack of awareness and usage of PPPs framework models during the feasibility and subsequent implementation process”, “Limited knowledge and skills required for PPP practitioners”, “Poor capacity building”, “Lack of engagement of experts during the viability and assessment process” and “Poor selection process of private partners giving rising to unsolicited proposals” are the main PPP features influencing the readiness process and fostering of innovation.Practical implicationsThe identification of the readiness approaches would support PPP policymakers and stakeholders with the government mechanisms for identifying the key areas needed to be addressed to improve the PPP implementation performance.Originality/valueOutputs of this study provide insights on how to foster a better understanding of the readiness assessment strategies and approaches for successfully implementing PPP in affordable housing projects.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Warri ◽  
Asha George

Abstract Background: Antenatal care serves as a key entry point for a pregnant woman to receive a broad range of services and should be initiated at the onset of pregnancy. The aim of the study was to understand the reasons for late initiation of antenatal by pregnant women in Nkwen Baptist Health Center, Cameroon. Methods: The study applied purposive sampling to recruit eighteen pregnant women and three key informants for data collection through individual interviews. Pregnant women who initiated antenatal care after the first trimester were recruited during antenatal care clinics and interviewed in a room at the antenatal care unit. Key informants were midwives working at the antenatal care unit. Participation in the study was voluntary. Participants were explained the purpose of the study and signed a consent form if they were willing to participate in the research. Data was collected using an audio tape and analyzed using Thematic Coding Analysis. Results: Pregnant women place low value on early antenatal care due to the fact that they perceive pregnancy as a normal health condition or not a serious issue that requires seeking health care. Furthermore previous pregnancy outcomes that were positive regardless of accessing care made them less motivated to initiate antenatal care early. The booking system is perceived as user-unfriendly with overcrowded conditions, long waiting times and rudeness of some service providers. Cost of services and distance to health facilities with uncomfortable transport and poor road network were identified as perceived barriers. The absence of effective community health programmes, perceived lack of support from parents and spouses, fear of bewitchment and stigma due to cultural beliefs about early initiation of antenatal care were also identified as variables influencing late initiation. Conclusion: Pregnant women lack information on the purpose of early antenatal care. Health facility barriers as well as socio cultural beliefs also have significant influence on timing of antenatal care initiation. The government of Cameroon should strengthen the health system and implement activities that engage communities to improve timing of care seeking for antenatal care and thereby improve the maternal health status of women.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Polikarpova

At present people in nearly all the countries of the world confront with the problem of "aggressive driving", which is particularly acute in the cities. The concept of "aggressive driving" exists in many countries of the world. But there are some differences in approaches to the definition of the content of this notion, which results in giving different names for this kind of driving. For example, in most European countries, as well as in some Asian countries people use the terms "careless driving" and "dangerous driving" ("dangerous driving"). In the United States and Australia a broader concept like "aggressive behaviour on the road" is in use. In foreign countries, there are laws and rules of the road, according to which "aggressive" driving is punishable by a fine, and in some cases, even carries criminal penalties. In Russia, the problem of "aggressive driving" nowadays has started to be treated at the legislative level, and on May, 2016 the Government of the Russian Federation enacted a regulation No. 477 “On amending the road traffic regulations of the Russian Federation ", which introduced the concept of "dangerous driving ", and on 08.06.16 the “Law on dangerous driving” was adopted. The term "dangerous driving" is not easy for understand and it raises questions among drivers, who are not completely aware of what exactly is considered to be "dangerous driving" and how to implement this notion in practice. This article provides an overview of current foreign and national researches, concerning the problem of "aggressive" and "dangerous driving", identifies the differences and similarities between the concepts of "aggressive" and "dangerous driving" as they are understood in Russia and abroad, and describes the factors that influence the emergence of aggression in drivers


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 3192-3195
Author(s):  
S. Nandhini ◽  
Saravana Kumar ◽  
Aditya Kumawat ◽  
Mansi Sharma

Road traffic has become a major issue in highly crowded metropolitan cities. Ambulance services which are provided by the government and private organizations struggle to get the patient to the hospital, resulting in unfortunate events which affect the people vastly. We are applying Internet Of Things (IoT) and cloud based services that can bring up an effective route and smoothen the ambulance movement throughout. Our attempt is to alert people on the road in prior about incoming ambulances by using smart lighting and managing them via cloud. Internet Of Things helps in collaboration of these different devices, accessing and monitoring them remotely.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document