310 Estimating health burden of road traffic injuries in Bangladesh: an insight for policy implication

<h3>Background</h3> Road traffic injuries (RTIs) results in a variety of economic expenses, including medical and emergency service expenditures, lost productivity, in addition to the significant human losses and suffering. There is a lack of updated data on the impact of road traffic injuries in the health sector in Bangladesh. <h3>Objectives</h3> Thus, this study aimed at exploring epidemiological and economic burden of road traffic injuries in the health sector of Bangladesh. <h3>Methods</h3> A hybrid methodology has been adopted which includes descriptive cross-section survey and retrospective data review from different sources. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to explain the objective of the study. In-depth interviews (IDIs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to gather qualitative data, while quantitative data was collected by retrospective data reviews, hospital record reviews, and in-person interviews with road traffic injuries patients and/or their attendants (exit interview). Data was collected from the randomly selected 81 healthcare facilities/hospital from different levels across the country. <h3>Results</h3> Data on epidemiological burden of RTIs grossly varies between different data sources. Management Information System data from all government hospitals across the country shows that 1,14, 595 RTI cases (including follow-up visits) were admitted in 2022. It was also found that most of the RTI patients (41% sought treatment from the secondary level government hospitals (district hospitals). Data from the hospitals records shows that the average length of hospital stay in primary, secondary and tertiary level hospitals are 2.83 days, 2.98 and 4.70 days respectively. It was found that the average bed occupancy rate for RTIs was 27%. It was found that only 4% of RTI patients who were members of a cohort and followed-up for a year developed extreme or permanent disability. It was also discovered that the average out-of-pocket expenditure for injuries sustained in traffic crashes was BDT 59,450.70 (US$539.63), ranging between BDT 200.00 ($1.90) to BDT 6,56,000.00 (US$5,954.43). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Findings of this study could be a knowledgebase for the health administrators and policy makers for future investment in addressing the problem in a holistic way to achieve the target of the heath related Sustainable Development Goals.