Situational factors associated with road traffic crashes: A case-control study on the Yaounde-Douala road section, Cameroon

摘要

Our aim was to identify situational factors associated with road traffic crash sites on a heavy traffic 243 km road section in Cameroon. We conducted a case-control study on Yaounde-Douala road section. Cases were sites where an injury crash was reported to one of the 13 police stations on this road section over a period from 2004 to 2007. Control sites were randomly selected on same road section where no crash was reported. A total of 474 crash sites and 509 control sites were included. Results showed statistically significant associations with injury crash risk for flat road profile (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15-2.01), irregular road surface conditions (aOR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.04-1.99), roadside obstacle situated less than 4 m from the road edge (aOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.09-3.63), three-legged intersections (aOR = 3.11, 95% CI = 1.15-8.39) and four-legged intersections (aOR = 3.23, 95% CI = 1.15-6.92). Built-up areas were significantly associated with injury crash sites where verge depth was 0 m (aOR = 2.33; 95% CI = 1..91-2.77). Our results suggest that traffic calming and speed enforcement measures in built-up areas, intersections and on flat sections of this road should be strongly encouraged.