%0 Journal Article
%T A new approach and first steps to strengthen trauma management and road safety in North Vietnam
%A Uli Schmucker
%A Caspar Ottersbach
%A Matthias Frank
%A Luong Xuan Hien
%A Lajos Bogar
%A Axel Ekkernkamp
%A Dirk Stengel
%A Gerrit Matthes
%J Journal of Trauma Management & Outcomes
%D 2008
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1752-2897-2-10
%X As part of a European Union co-financed cooperation, two European and one Vietnamese university set up three action lines (Trauma and Emergency Courses, school-based education programs, public awareness campaigns). Specific contents of the activities were derived from a literature search, a questionnaire pilot-study and by panel consensus technique. After adjustment to local capabilities (equipment, infrastructure, etc.) these were implemented within a professional network of hospitals, schools, public and media institutions.The literature research and questionnaire results from 1 000 young road users indicates that for pedestrian and two-wheelers accidents, low compliance with traffic regulations and high prevalence of risk-taking behaviour dominate Vietnam's road traffic environment. A school-based educational program (4 hrs/month) was set up using teachers who were trained on road safety issues. Also, major parts of the public awareness campaigns (i.e. broadcasts, media conferences) reflected these topics. From panel discussions and Delphi-technique, diagnosis and early treatment of severe head trauma and internal haemorrhage were identified as topics of highest interest for doctors therefore representing key topics of the Trauma and Emergency Courses.Knowledge on behaviour and attitudes of road users in Vietnam as well as on local infrastructure and effective networks is essential to establish sustainable and effective countermeasures. Our approach might serve as guideline for future small scale projects as it proved to be feasible, cost-effective but provided scientific base for immediate on spot activities.The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 38 millions disability-adjusted-life-years lost (DALY) resulting from road traffic crashes (RTC) in 2002 [1]. Within this, 91,8% are allotted to low- and middle-income countries [1]. Amongst the 1.2 million RTC fatalities worldwide, approximately 25% were killed in South East Asia [1]. No other region worldwide ha
%U http://www.traumamanagement.org/content/2/1/10