Neeti Rustagi

All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur, India

Abstract Title: Predicting youth behavior to provide post- crash care : Evidence from rural India

Biography:

Dr. Neeti Rustagi is Professor in the Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine at AIIMS Jodhpur. With an MD in Community Medicine and a DNB in Preventive and Social Medicine, she has over 75 publications and extensive experience leading national and international research projects. Her key interests include injury epidemiology, mental health, medical education, and health systems strengthening. A recipient of the DAAD scholarship and multiple national awards, she has contributed to ICMR- and MoHFW-funded studies on mental health and suicide prevention. Dr. Rustagi also champions sustainable campus initiatives, promoting eco-friendly practices at AIIMS Jodhpur.

Research Interest:

Background: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a leading cause of death globally for individuals aged 5-29, with a disproportionate burden in low and middle-income countries. In settings like India, where pre-hospital trauma care systems have shortcomings, immediate assistance from bystanders is critical to improving survival rates.
Aim: This study aimed to identify the predictors that affect the behavior of youth to provide post- crash care using the psychological framework of Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Methods: A mixed-methods, cross-sectional study was conducted among college students in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. A validated, self-administered questionnaire based on the TPB constructs was administered in a classroom setting to 662 participants from randomly selected colleges. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analyses to identify predictors of intention and behavior.
Results: Positive attitude, supportive subjective norms, and higher perceived competence were significant predictors of the intention to help an accident victim. However, only positive attitude and higher perceived competence translated into actual past helping behavior. Qualitative findings identified barriers such as the fear of legal hassles and police harassment, social discouragement, and situational constraints at the crash site.
Conclusion: Attitude and perceived competence are pivotal in shaping youths' decisions to assist RTA victims. To translate positive intentions into life-saving actions, public health interventions must go beyond training to address systemic barriers. Strategies should focus on raising awareness about Good Samaritan laws and institutionalizing pro-social helping behaviours in educational and community settings to strengthen the chain of survival for accident victims.