Road traffic crash data in Southwestern Nigeria: a qualitative analysis of sources, contents and management methods.

OBJECTIVE

This study qualitatively examined road traffic crash (RTC) data collection and management in southwest Nigeria, with the goal of addressing the tenets of the UN Decade of Action Plan on Road Safety's call for an effective data system.

METHODS

Data on RTCs data collection in the study area was obtained through key informant interviews with five hospital accident emergency unit directors, three Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Sector commanders, and three Nigeria Police Force (NPF) commissioners. Datasets were transcribed, categorized, and interpreted using content analysis, descriptive statistics, and WHO recommended minimal crash data element requirements.

RESULTS

The study found disparate systems, a lack of synergy, and discrepancy in the various data sources in the country when compared with WHO recommendations on road traffic data collection systems, with 55% of agencies using non-standardized paper forms. The study also reveals that the minimum crash data elements recommended by WHO are not consistently captured in the NPF, FRSC, and hospital traffic crash data sources.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggested the use of an upgraded National Road Traffic Crash Data Management System (NRTCDMS) Data Template to unify data gathering and linkage issues, but recommends a digital version of the template.