Research

A geographic information system to study trauma epidemiology in India

Vaibhav Bagaria¹ and Saurabh Bagaria²

¹  NIIDAAN Ortho Centre, Nagpur, India

²  Map Info, Noida, India

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Trauma Management & Outcomes 2007, 1:3doi:10.1186/1752-2897-1-3

Published:	26 November 2007

Abstract

Background

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) describe the topography and chronology of events in a defined vector space. GIS may also be used for an integrated analysis of environmental and road-related risk factors for traffic accidents.

Methods

In a retrospective study, various features of 165 road crashes were linked to a GIS-generated digital map of an area close to a national highway in India. By overlay tools, clusters of accidents were identified, and color-coded according to accident mechanisms and injury patterns.

Results

Spatial analysis revealed a cluster with a high incidence of motorbike injuries resulting in fractures. Examination of the spot demonstrated the risky combination of a speed breaker and a broken traffic light. After fixing the light, no further accidents occurred at the site.

Conclusion

GIS is a promising technology for geo-referencing accident data, and may be a valuable tool to identify areas of priority for injury prevention in India.