302 Quality of life among road traffic injury survivors: an analysis of socio-economic conditions of the affected households in the national capital territory of Delhi

Background Road traffic injuries (RTIs) constitute a significant public health challenge in urban India, often leading to severe physical and socio-economic consequences for survivors. Quality of life (QoL) remains a major issue for injury survivors. Families of road crash victims disproportionately bear the socio-economic burden of road crashes. The majority of the fatalities, 93 per cent, involve vulnerable road users like pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and auto rickshaw occupants motorised and electric. Objective This paper aims to assess the post-discharge outcomes among road traffic injury (RTI) survivors, including the quality of life and socioeconomic conditions of the affected households in an urban setting. Methods The paper used a mixed-method approach to comprehensively analyse 15 road traffic injury survivors aged 18 and above. A prospective cohort design (pre and post-discharge at a tertiary care hospital) was employed to collect the data using structured and semi-structured tools. An in-depth interview technique was used for RTI survivors, caregivers (family, friends) and bystanders to assess the quality of life, socio-economic conditions of affected families, caregivers' experience and the role of bystanders in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. EuroQol scale has been used to assess the immediate impact of road traffic injury survivors' quality of life and health status. The data is analysed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Review Board, Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Institutional Ethics Committee, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. Results Overall health status notably declined due to the immediate effect of injury and post-discharge from the hospital due to injury severity among road traffic injury survivors observed within 30 days. At six months post-discharge, road traffic injury survivors faced a combination of ongoing physical pain, disability, psychological trauma, and socio-economic challenges. Many continue to experience persistent pain and major injuries, such as head trauma and loss of vision, which limit their mobility and ability to perform daily activities. The economic impact is significant, with many survivors unable to return to work, leading to financial stress for themselves and their families. Psychological trauma remains a major concern, with survivors experiencing anxiety, stress, and depression, particularly when reminded of the accident. The social impact is also considerable, with many survivors heavily reliant on family members and caregivers for daily activities, adding to the burden on these support systems. While some survivors have shown resilience and made progress in their recovery, many continue to struggle, highlighting the need for sustained medical, psychological, and social support to aid in their recovery and improve their quality of life. An important insight from the bystanders highlights the need to enforce road traffic safety rules. Conclusions This paper sheds light on the multifaceted impact of severe road traffic injuries on the lives of survivors and their families, as well as the need for enhanced budget allocation to the health sector. There is an urgent need for comprehensive and holistic care, rehabilitation, and support systems to strengthen road safety measures and to orient policies to address road traffic injuries and deaths in urban India.