A systematic review of road traffic injury studies in Iran: Methodology and prevention levels

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the most frequent public health problem in Iran. The present study reviewed the methodology of the RTI articles using the Haddon matrix evidence. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Persian national databases, including SID, Magiran, and IranDoc, were searched for the articles published from March 21, 2009, to October 21, 2020. The search process was done by two independent reviewers. The quality of the articles was assessed based on the Scopus index of journals. Results: Nine-hundred and fourteen articles were included in this review study, which mostly focused on RTIs in Iran and precrash and postcrash prevention approaches. The methodological approach was cross-sectional in 487 (53.2%) articles and merely 5 (0.54%) articles were randomized clinical trial (RCT) papers. RCT studies focused on the human factor in the precrash phase. Research center evidence indicated that the Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centers mainly focused on human and environmental factors. However, the Trauma Research Center of Kashan and Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center of Tehran often addressed vehicles. Conclusion: The RTIs studies in Iran often followed a cross-sectional methodology and used a precrash prevention approach.