Application of geographical information system (GIS) for mapping road traffic injuries using existing source of data in Karachi, Pakistan--a pilot study

摘要

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of using Geographical Information System for mapping of road traffic injuries with an existing data source in a developing country.METHODS: The study was a retrospectives case series of road traffic injury cases registered with the medico-legal office located in the three major trauma centers in Karachi for the period of January 1, 2004 till December 31st, 2004. Spatial data analysis was performed using ARCVIEW 3.1.RESULTS: Out of 3650 of all road traffic injury, only 3% had locations detailed and accurate enough allowing mapping on a GIS map in the first attempt. Even after using detailed town maps and field exercises more than a quarter cases (n=1088; 30%) of road traffic injuries (RTIs) could not be properly located. We identified 25 areas of one kilometer or less in Karachi accounting for 27% of all RTIs. Five corridors of road measuring 27.7 km accounted for 590 (23%) of all RTIs with known locations.CONCLUSIONS: Existing sources of data from the medico-legal system in Karachi failed to provide exact information on crash site. Such datasets can however be used to define high risk areas/neighbourhoods.