Road traffic accidents in Kazakhstan.

Background: The article provides the analysis of death rates in road traffic accidents in Kazakhstan from 2004 to 2010 and explores the use of sanitary aviation.

Methods: Data of fatalities caused by road traffic accidents were collected and analysed. Descriptive and analytical methods of epidemiology and biomedical statistics were applied.

Results: Totaly 27,003 people died as a result of road traffic accidents in this period. The death rate for the total population due to road traffic accidents was 25.0±2.1(0)/0000. The death rate for men was (38.3±3.2(0)/0000), which was higher (P<0.05) than that for women (12.6±1.1(0)/0000). High death rates in the entire male population were identified among men of 30-39 years old, whereas the highest rates for women were attributed to the groups of 50-59 years old and 70-79 years old. In time dynamics, death rates tended to decrease: the total population (Tdec=-2.4%), men (Tdec=-2.3%) and women (Tdec=-1.4%). When researching territorial relevance, the rates were established as low (to 18.3(0)/0000), average (between 18.3 and 24.0(0)/0000) and high (from 24.0(0)/0000 and above). Thus, the regions with high rates included Akmola region (24.3(0)/0000), Mangistau region (25.9(0)/0000), Zhambyl region (27.3(0)/0000), Almaty region (29.3(0)/0000) and South Kazakhstan region (32.4(0)/0000).

Conclusion: The identified epidemiological characteristics of the population deaths rates from road traffic accidents should be used in integrated and targeted interventions to enhance prevention of injuries in accidents.