Developing a System to Monitor Road Accidents in Ouagadougou to Reduce Accident Burden

Traffic accidents have become a worldwide public health issue since the late 20th century. Today, they cause as many victims as major pandemics such as malaria and tuberculosis, and are the leading cause of death in the world in people between 10 and 45 years old. In Africa, death by road accident is the 5th leading cause of death, while it is in the 10th place worldwide (WHO, 2013). Burkina Faso and its capital Ouagadougou are experiencing this new public health burden. The number of accidents with injuries is increasing every year.

One of the research questions in the Trauma axis of the equity program is to know where the road accidents with injury are most frequent in Ouagadougou so as to identify and understand the spatial differentiation of this burden as well as to define the victims’ profile. How are they supported by first aid and hospital emergency services? How are victims being monitored by physicians? What are the economic consequences for these people?

The overall objective of this research’s axis is to understand the needs of vulnerable road users in order to fight against this burden. Several surveys will be undertaken to achieve this and will form the basis in the process of defining a community intervention that will aim to reduce the vulnerability of populations most at risk.