الفهرس 
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Abstract
RTAs are still a major public health problem, both in industrialized and developing communities. In Saudi Arabia, it is estimated that more than 80% of all deaths that is reported from the Ministry of Health Hospitals, are due to RTAFs. Such accidents lead to a depletion of valuable resources, especially human resources. Such losses have adverse consequences on families and communities. Every effort should be made to for accidents reduction and prevention to guard against its negative consequences.
The aims of the study are to explore the pattern of road traffic accidents (RTA) fatalities and their trend in the Eastern region of Saudi.
Method:
It was a retrospective study conducted on RTAFs at the Eastern region of Saudi during five years from 1421 H. to 1425 H. (2000-2004) the data on RTA fatalities were obtained from the Statistical Department of the Ministry of Health, Supreme Council for planning and Ministry of Interior and traffic agency. The annual rate of RTI deaths was calculated for the period 1421-1425, in the towns of Eastern region of Saudi. The RTI death rate was related with the independent variables described above, using simple and multiple linear regression analysis with backward step-wise elimination. The level of statistical significance was taken as p < 0.05.
Results:
A total of 1500 RTAFs were registered during the period from 1421-1425 H. (An average of 300 per year. The majority (85.3%) was outside and immediate RTAFs and the rest (14.7%) were described as inside RTAFs as they die within 30 days after hospital admission.
The trend of both outside and immediate RTAFs and the registered vehicles during the five years of the study showed initial declines in the first three years, and then elevated to reach higher levels, at 1425H., than the beginning at 1421H. Accordingly, a statistically significant, good and positive correlation was found between the registered vehicles and both outside and immediate RTAFs. Moreover, 50% of the changes in outside and immediate RTAFs could be explained by the changes in the registered vehicles. The findings reflected monthly trend fluctuations during: Thu Al Hajje, Safer Sha’ban and Jumada I. Additionally, daily trend was noticed at 13th and 29th. Concerning the two types of fatality rates, the calculated values were increasing during the first three years, and then declined. The decline continued in the type related to registered vehicle but increased agin in the type related to person resident. Both rates at 1425H. were that at 1421 H.
Studying the pattern of RTAFs at 1425H.revealed that there were 350 deceased, out of them 77.4% was described to be outside RTAFs. About half (49.1%) of RTA deaths were in the age group (20-40 years) ”the most productive class in Society”. The majority 83.7%) were males About two thirds (66.9%) were Saudi. The accident occurred mostly in urban areas (82.3%). As regards RTAFs who had ruyal residence, all
of them died either outside or immediately. There was statistically significant difference in relation to residence. Moreover, three quarters of RTAFs reported from four hospitals namely; Al Damam, Al Kati II central, Al Gubil and Al Khobar. The inside RTAFs was recorded from the first three hospitals. The fourth hospital (Al Khobar) reported only outside RTAFs. Monthly trend fluctuation corresponded to Shawal, Rajab, Sha’ban, Jumada I and II and Thu Af Hajje. The daily speaks were 15th and 25th. According to the 1CD-10 classification only 25.7% mentioned external causes. Among the consequence of causes, head injuries was described in more than half especially among outside and inside RTAFs while multiple organ injuries accounted about two fifth mostly among immediate RTAFs. Specified diagnoses was mentioned in minority of deceased mostly immediate RTAFs while the majority was unspecified especially the inside RTAFs.