Epidemiology of traffic injuries before, during and 1 year after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions: National findings from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. Studies have examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on traffic injuries treated in healthcare institutions, but its impact on patients seeking emergency medical transport for traffic injuries remains unclear. <b>Objective:</b> This study aimed to determine changes in traffic injuries' distribution and outcomes among patients seeking emergency medical transport before, during, and after the COVID-19 restrictions were imposed in Saudi Arabia. <b>Methods</b>: This is a nationwide retrospective study of all injuries reported to the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) between January 1^st, 2020, and May 31^st, 2021. The cases in the study were categorized based on the following three time periods: (1) Pre-restriction (January 1 to March 23, 2020), (2) restriction (March 24 to June 21, 2020), and (3) post-restriction (June 22, 2020, to May 31, 2021). <b>Results</b>: A total of 142,763 cases of traffic-related injuries were recorded at the SRCA during the study period: pre-restriction, 27,811 (19.5%); restriction, 14,414 (10.1%); post-restriction, 100,538 (70.4%). Males accounted for most cases throughout the study period, but a significant increase in the number of females was observed in the post-restriction period compared with the first two timeframes (12.2% vs. 3.4% and 3.4%, respectively; <i>P</i> < 0.01). During the restriction period, the rate of mortality was the highest, and rollover crashes were significantly higher (18.2% vs. 14.0% and 14.6%; <i>P</i> < 0.01). Overall, pedestrians were almost three times more likely to die following injuries than occupants or drivers (OR = 2.7). <b>Conclusions</b>: Further prevention programs to reduce traffic injuries are needed to improve traffic safety and improve population health.