Motorbike Accidents Involving Delivery Personnel at King Hamad University Hospital, Kingdom of Bahrain: A Retrospective Study.

Background Motorcycles, favored for commercial commuting, offer the dual benefits of optimizing road system utilization and reducing environmental impact. However, the surge in home delivery services in Bahrain has led to an increase in motorcycle-related injuries. This study aimed to explore the effects of motorcycle accidents on delivery personnel, focusing on injury patterns, severity, and contributing factors. Methods This retrospective observational study analyzed 313 cases of delivery personnel involved in motorcycle accidents during their working hours at King Hamad University Hospital, Bahrain, from January 2016 to December 2019. Participants included delivery personnel aged 18-60 years with acute injuries from motorbike accidents who presented within 72 hours. Eligibility required complete medical records and employment verification. Cases involving incomplete data, fatalities before arrival, or accidents with other vehicles were excluded. Data sources included emergency department logs, hospital admission records, operative documents, and standardized forms. Variables included demographics, ambulance use, injury type and location, and interventions such as the need for CT scans, endotracheal intubation, blood transfusion, and trauma code activation. Group comparisons utilized chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney U tests with significance set at p < 0.05. Subgroup analyses explored associations by age, injury type, and trauma code activation. Results The mean age of the patients was 30.1 ± 8.26 years, with more than half (N = 167, 53.4%) aged 30 years old or younger. Of all patients, 25 (8%) had trauma code activation, and 175 (55.9%) utilized an ambulance. The most common location of injury was the lower limb (N = 205, 65.5%), followed by the upper limb (N = 164, 52.4%) and the head (N = 64, 20.4%). The median (range) of hospital stay days was 1 (1-32) days. Abrasions were the major type of injury sustained by the patients (N = 233, 74.4%), followed by lacerations (N = 45, 14.4%). Ambulance use was significantly higher in patients with trauma code activation (p = 0.001), head injury (p = 0.042), and pelvic injury (p = 0.047). Blood transfusion was significantly higher among those with abdominal injury (p = 0.002). There were no fatalities recorded during the study period. Conclusions This study highlights the risks faced by young delivery personnel in Bahrain, with lower limb injuries and head trauma being prevalent. Despite the effectiveness of current trauma care protocols in managing injuries, gaps remain in preventing severe injuries. The research emphasizes the need for region-specific measures, such as mandatory helmet laws, the use of protective gear, and the establishment of safer routes for delivery personnel. Furthermore, local awareness campaigns about safe riding practices and enhanced training programs for delivery staff can play a crucial role in reducing injury risks. By providing unique data on injury patterns and trauma care in the Gulf region, the study contributes to improving road safety and trauma management while supporting further research and policy development tailored to the specific needs of delivery personnel in Bahrain.