ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo discuss the epidemiological characteristic s of road traffic injuries in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and explore effective pre ventive measures against traffic accidents in the plateau as well as correspondi ng emergency treatment methods.MethodsA retrospective statis tical analysis was carried out in 1 894 cases of traffic injuries with detailed data admitted in our hospital from January 1980 to December 2000. Resu ltsMost of the traffic accidents occurred on the Qinghai-Tibet road, accounting for 68.0% (1 288/1 894). Of the patients with serious traffic inju ries, 54.0% (1 022/1 894) were in need of hospitalization. The patients who first entered into the plateau accounted for 61.1% (1 158/ 1 894). Death occurre d in 108 cases accounting for 5.7%. The duration from injury to treatment was ve ry long, average over six hours. Furthermore, the patients received no any manag ement before treatment in the hospital. ConclusionsHypoxia i n the plateau, unclear road sign and fatigue driving are the main factors leadin g to traffic accidents. Lack of health care units, serious hypoxia, long deliver y time and carriers' deficiency in medical knowledge are the main causes for gr eat amount of casualties.