Descriptive epidemiological profile of road traffic injuries in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in South Australia

Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities experience a disproportionate burden of road traffic injuries yet little work has been done to develop a comprehensive epidemiological profile. 

Methods: We analysed data from the South Australian Trauma Registry for road traffic injuries in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (≥18 years) admitted to hospital between July 2018 and June 2023. Descriptive statistics summarised demographics and hospital presentation characteristics, and an ordinal logistic regression examined the association between length of stay and injury severity scores (ISSs). Indigenous research methodologies guided study design and interpretation. 

Results: A total of 127 patients were identified, all sustaining blunt trauma. Most patients identified as male (63%) and 30% were aged 25–34 years. Road traffic injuries frequently occurred on roads with speeds ≥60 km/hour (60%) and over 60% occurred in the afternoon/evening. Approximately 52% of cases reported ISS >12, and 32% of patients arrived at the hospital more than 12 hours after the time of injury. Median hospital stay was 9 days (IQR: 3.1 to 17.0) and greater ISS scores were associated with longer hospital stays (OR=1.2, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.26, p<0.001). 

Conclusion: Our findings suggest a need to focus on addressing the overrepresentation of men and individuals of working age while also targeting key risk factors like speed, with improved support and resourcing for rural and remote communities. Central to these efforts should be community-led co-design initiatives to ensure relevant and sustainable prevention strategies.