Costs of Traumatic Brain Injury from Motorcycle Accidents in Hanoi, Vietnam
Author Information
Author(s): Hoang Hanh TM, Pham Tran L, Vo Thuy TN, Nguyen Phuong K, Doran Christopher M, Hill Peter S
Primary Institution: Institute for Health Strategy and Policy, Ministry of Health, Vietnam
Hypothesis
What are the costs associated with non-fatal traumatic brain injury in motorcycle users not wearing helmets in Hanoi, Vietnam?
Conclusion
The study found that the costs of traumatic brain injury are high and can be catastrophic for families, especially due to direct costs and significant time off work.
Supporting Evidence
- Direct costs increased with the severity of TBI.
- Patients with severe TBI lost an average of 54 weeks of normal activities.
- Eighty percent of patients needed caregiver support after the accident.
Takeaway
If you get hurt in a motorcycle accident and don't wear a helmet, it can cost a lot of money and make it hard for your family to pay for things.
Methodology
The study was a retrospective cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires to gather data on costs from patients and their families.
Potential Biases
The study may not fully capture the economic burden due to limited data on long-term costs and the focus on out-of-pocket expenses.
Limitations
The study only estimates costs for the first year post-injury, which may underestimate the true lifetime costs.
Participant Demographics
71% male, mean age 33.2 years, with 45.2% aged 20-29; 22.6% were students and 74% were motorcycle drivers.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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