Introduction

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are considered one of the main causes of mortality and disability in the world [1, 2]. Most of the hospitalizations in the emergency departments of the hospitals are due to RTIs that impose enormous costs on the government and people [3, 4]. Annually 1.2 million people throughout the world lose their lives due to RTIs and 50 million became injured [5]. It is estimated that 92 percent of the RTIs’  mortality occur in  in Low and middle Income Countries (LMICs) [6]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the RTIs in Iran led to 24896 deaths in a year (according to national calendar covering April 2013- April 2014). Of which three quarters were men.  So the related mortality rate per 100 thousand people in Iran was 32.1 [5]. From a historical standpoint, RTIs are considered as accidents occurred to others and as inevitable and non-preventable events. The word “accident” is especially reminiscent of being non-preventable, while results of research and high agreement between the experts show that the RTIs are preventable [7-10]. In the High Income Countries (HICs), a set of measures to prevent RTIs have been taken. These measures include legislation to control speed and alcohol consumption, use of safety belts and helmets, designing safer roads and vehicles [11, 12].

 RTIs are the leading cause of injuries and the second cause of mortality in Iran [13-16], and it is 4 times more prevalent than the HICs [17]. Death rate due to RTIs in Iran also is highest as compared to other LMICs [18-20]. The RTIs in Iran cause loss of 2271 years of life annually and damage amounting to 6 billion dollars [21, 22]. From 2005 to 2008, Iran led the word in highest number of deaths caused by RTIs[23, 24]. At that time, the study of Khorasani-Zavareh et al. (2009) showed that there were many barriers in Iran to prevent RTIs [25]. Since then, in Iran, like many LMICs, various interventions and programs were designed and implemented to prevent the RTIs [26-30]. So the WHO’s report in 2015 shows that mortality caused by RTIs in Iran has declined from approximately 40 per 100 thousand people in 2005 to approximately 32.1 per 100 thousand people in 2014 [5].

Despite progress in the field of prevention of RTIs in recent years, traffic incidents in Iran are still the main cause of injuries and the second cause of mortality [19, 31-33]. Therefore, it seems that there are still some barriers (adapting effective policies or interventions and their implementation) in the prevention of RTIs that require further study in this regard. On the other hand, for better management and for adjusting the past failures, investigating the facilitator of the prevention of RTIs seems indispensable. To identify the barriers and facilitators, examining experts’ experiences and views is one of the most suitable solutions [34-36]. Thus, the aim of the present study was to identify the barriers and facilitators of the prevention of RTIs in Iran.

Materials and Methods

This qualitative study conducted in 2016. The reason for using the qualitative method was the ability of these studies in drawing out the participants’ experiences, knowledge and unraveled information [37, 38]. Among the various approaches of qualitative studies, the conventional Content-Analysis approach was selected. This approach is an appropriate approach to collect valid and reliable results; that can be used to obtain and develop rich information, insights and a guide to performance [39]. Conventional Content analysis is a method that has become popular in health studies recently. The content analysis is a flexible method for analyzing qualitative data. It describes a group of analytic approaches that differ from impressionistic, intuitive, interpretive analyses to systematic, strict textual analyses. Advantage of the conventional approach to content analysis is getting direct information from the participants without imposing preconceived categories or theoretical perspectives [40].

Key informants were selected from the following institutions: Ministry of Roads and Transportation, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Traffic Police, Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance, Ministry of Education, Legal Medicine, Organization (forensic medicine), Insurance Organization, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, the Red Crescent Organization, Emergency Services, Firefighting, Police, Broadcasting Organization and the Judiciary branch. The study participants were faculty members who had extensive research on RTIs, heads of research centers related to RTIs, directors or senior officials in the mentioned organizations who had direct responsibility for RTIs and its prevention and a number of literate drivers. These individuals were selected since they had considerable experience and knowledge concerning the prevention of RTIs. The inclusion criteria included having published books, articles  or other research works on RTIs for faculty members and heads of research centers, having at least two years of experience in jobs related to RTIs, Iranian nationality, the Persian language proficiency, diploma degree, and having the will and ability to participate in the study.

The study began with purposeful sampling method and then the theatrical sampling method was applied. In this method, some individuals are selected as participants who have the largest and richest information and are able to provide the researchers with their information appropriately [41-43]. It continued till data saturation, it means reaching a point where the researchers feel the new information does not come with the arrival of new people. The saturation was achieved with 42 participants. After the start of the study and during the interviews, theoretical sampling was used to identify people who could provide the researchers with rich and useful information. In addition, it was attempted to have various participants in terms of age, employment status, work experience, education and job status to create diverse data.

To collect the data, semi-structured interviews were conducted in Persian. The interviews were conducted in a place that was convenient for the participants. During the interviews, the guide questions, which were designed using the literature review and experts’ views, were used (appendex1). The duration of each interview varied between 45 to 90 minutes (except one case which due to high business, it ended in 20 minutes). The individuals’ statements were recorded with their consent by using a tape recorder and the research also used note taking during the interviews. The interviews immediately after the end of each interview was reviewed by the researchers several times and typed in Microsoft Word. For four participants due to access problems (being abroad at the time of the study) open-ended questionnaire was used rather than the interview. The questionnaires were sent via email.

For data analysis, content-analysis method was applied, which is a method to identify, analyze and report patterns (themes) within the text. This type of analysis is used when the theories on the subject are limited [44-46]. Data analysis and coding processes were as follows: familiarizing with the data text (reading the transcripts several time-data immersion), identifying and extracting the basic codes (identifying and extracting more relevant data with the primary codes), identifying themes (placing the initial extracted codes in related classes and themes), reviewing and completing the identified themes, naming and defining themes, re-coding and renaming some classes and themes, and ensuring reliability of the codes.

To increase the rigor and accuracy of the findings, the four measures proposed by Goba and Lincoln [13] were used as below. For the Credibility and Confirmability, the researchers were involved long time with the data. Also the peer review and expert review were applied. The respondent validation used after each session as the summarized statements of the participant was told to him/her to affirm and to prevent mis-understandings. For Dependability aspect the coding was done by two coders. And for the Transferability, the expert review, purposeful sampling, and heterogeneous sampling were used.

To observe ethical issues in this study, informed consent was obtained from the participants and they had the right to withdraw and leave the study at any time they want. In addition, the objectives of the study were explained to the participants before interviews. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee in Research located at the Iran University of Medical Sciences. All the participants provided their informed written consents.

Results

Among the 42 participants of the study, 9 were faculty members, which 4 of whom were the head of research centers, 20 were the senior officials of stakeholder organizations in the field of RTIs in the country, 10 were people who had responsibilities regarding the RTIs in the province, and 3 were literate and experienced drivers. Moreover, 23 participants had PhD education. The results of analyzing and coding the interviews include 5 main themes and 22 sub-themes regarding the barriers and 5 themes concerning the facilitators of the prevention of RTIs, which are shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 1. Barriers to and facilitators of the prevention of RTIs in Iran from the participants’ perspective.

In respect to the importance and the large number of barriers that participants highlighted, in this figure, the barriers are shown greater than the facilitators. The person in black who pushes the barriers is shown as a sign of “being negative” and the person in white who pushes facilitators is shown as a sign of “being positive”. The lack of traffic organization that is among the structural barriers, due to high repetition by the participants (almost all participants) and its importance was selected as the main barrier and is shown in red due to the consequences of failure to solve the problem (danger sign). In addition, the facilitator of “sensitiveness of society and authorities” is shown as the main theme of the facilitators and in green (a sign of good effect).

Barriers

5 main themes and 22 sub-themes on barriers to prevent RTIs were extracted. The full lists of the barriers with the participants’ direct quotes are summarized in Table 1. The lack of traffic lead agency that is among the structural barriers, due to high repetition by the participants (almost all participants) and its importance was selected as the main barrier. All participants pointed out that the lack of traffic lead agency with authority and executive power as well as adequate resources is the main problem of the prevention of RTIs in Iran. Most participants believed that an organization with the leadership of the country’s top officials should be responsible for the prevention of RTIs.

Table 1. Barriers to preventing RTIs in Iran from the participants’ perspective (N = 32)

“... In our country, in contrast to the successful countries in this regard, no one organization is in charge of RTIs and preventing them ... any organization does its work ... Nobody follows another one...." (P11). “... In our country, we have no organization with enough power and resources to lead the prevention of RTIs.... I think that the President or even the Supreme Leader should do something in the regard... “(P21).

Facilitators

In this study, 5 general facilitators were extracted including sensitization of society and the authorities, improving the resources and infrastructure (software and hardware), increasing the attention to safety of vehicles and roads, increasing the information and awareness, and use of expert manpower. The sensitization of society and the authorities was selected as the main theme of the facilitators.

Sensitization of Society and the Authorities

Most participants acknowledged that due to the increase in the number of mortality and injuries resulting from RTIs, reports should be published at national and international level concerning RTIs in Iran. By publishing and broadcasting reports of RTIs, especially during the New Year period on the severity of the issue, both authorities and people became sensitized to the issue of RTIs and may consider it. Therefore, RTIs were on the agenda of many organizations and relevant authorities.

“... In a particular period that RTIs increased and reached its peak, officials were sensitive to this issue and were concerned about the issue ...” (P13). “...In recent years, reports that the WHO released about RTIs and reflected the sad state of our country .... The reports that were published in our country... Dr. Naqvi’s report showed that RTIs cause the greatest burden of disability... they sensitized society and the authorities ...” (P16). “...The pictures and interviews that the TV shows ... bolded this issue ...” (P23).

Improving the resources and infrastructure (software and hardware) Some of the participants mentioned the increase of the facilities and the necessity of updating them. Most participants considered this increase of facilities and equipment related to the traffic police. Among the most noted cases, violation-record camera, use of more equipped police cars, increasing the police budget and manpower, and other cases.

“... In recent years, traffic police have good facilities such as suitable cars, violation-record camera and so on ...” (P31). “... Fortunately, with the assistance of the state in these years both budget and staffing have been improved in the traffic police...” (P21).

Increasing the Attention to Safety of Vehicles and Roads

Most participants have noted the increase of the safety of roads and vehicles in recent years. Although most of the participants mentioned this point, majority of them did not consider the improvement sufficient enough and expressed that the status of vehicle and road is not comparable to the HICs and even many LMICs.

“... Naturally, besides these, the relative increase of vehicle safety, including applying ABSs, air bags and so on was effective in reducing RTIs.... but they are not enough and we have a long way to reach the level of advanced countries and even many of the developing world ...” (P11). “... In addition, road safety is also improved over the years ... but a lot of defects still remain...” (P8).

Increasing the Information and Awareness

Some participants mentioned the role of the increased information and awareness on the prevention of RTIs. The increase of research centers, the number of professors and researchers in the field, reports released by international institutions such as the WHO and the World Bank, holding conferences, broadcasting activities and other causes were among the cases that participants noted as the factors of the increasing the awareness and information.

“... Fortunately, in recent years, many research centers have spread... new professors and researchers are entered to the field... many risk factors have been identified ... many detailed reports were published ...” (P18).

Use of Expert Manpower

The use of educated and expert manpower in decision making and executive offices was among the other cases mentioned by the participants. In the recent years the appearance of RTIs as a major problem of public health (due to increased sensitivity of the public and the officials), had led to increased number of individuals that have studied this field. Then these experts of RTIs became involved in various positions in decision making and executive jobs. This might have had effect in the reduction of RTIs in Iran. In this regard one of the participants stated:

“... In addition to these discussions, the use of specialists and educated manpower alongside decision-makers such as police, road safety commission and etc. has also been effective ... even some administrative posts during the years are assigned to educated and expert manpower in the field ...” (P2).

Discussion

As the result of the analysis of the interviews on the barriers to prevent RTIs, five main themes including structural barriers, organizational barriers and planning, socio-cultural barriers, scientific barriers, and inter-sector barriers and 22 sub-themes were identified. Furthermore, five general facilitators identified including: sensitization of the society and authorities, improving resources and infrastructure (software and hardware), increasing the attention to safety of vehicles and roads, increasing the information and awareness, and use of expert manpower.

The lack of traffic organization that is among the structural barriers, due to high repetition by the participants (almost all participants) and its importance was selected as the main barrier. Various organization are involved in RTIs and their prevention of which the most important ones are Ministry of Roads and Transportation, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Traffic Police, Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance, Ministry of Education, Legal Medicine Organization, Insurance Organization, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, the Red Crescent Organization, Emergency Services, Firefighting, Police, Broadcasting Organization, and the Judiciary branch [28]. Each of the mentioned organizations has specific responsibility, but as the participants acknowledged in the study, none of these organizations have sufficient authorities and resources to lead and manage RTIs consistently. In the countries succeeded in reducing the RTIs, usually an institution or organization with sufficient authority had the stewardship of the RTIs and other organizations are responsible for interaction and cooperation with it[47, 48]. For example, in Canada, the federal and provincial governments are leader at the levels of governmental territory in road safety. The federal government has commanding role in the transport system and with gathering information and conducting research is involved in the development and evaluation of this system. In the USA the general policies of transportation (railway, airway, sailing, and roads) are established by the Department of Transportation. But the safety rules of the roads particularly are released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In the Sweden the Swedish Transport Administration has all the responsibilities of policy making, implementing, monitoring the programs, road safety, and road maintenance. In the India the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has the responsibility of establishing and executing the regulations, and monitoring them [47]. In the study conducted by Surrey et al. (2009), traffic police or the presidency were suggested as leading organization in the prevention of RTIs. Although in the recent years the traffic police have had a more active role in the management of RTIs and good progress has been made ​​in this area, the police have not adequate powers and resources to play the role of the leading organization. So it seems that, like most successful countries in the field of the prevention of RTIs, a committee of the representatives of the various organs of interest managed by the president should be established with a clear definition of the duties in order to play the leading role so that more appropriate results are achieved.

 Weak inter-sector cooperation and coordination were one of the main barriers that participants mentioned repeatedly. According to the WHO reports in 2004 and 2006, preventing RTIs is a collective responsibility and it would not be achieved except through the cooperation and coordination of different organizations and departments [49, 50]. This issue is also referred in the previous studies in Iran [25, 51, 52]. The main reason for this, as mentioned above, can be the existence of a lot of organizations are interested/involved in RTIs with unclear description of responsibilities and sometimes contradictory or parallel to each other. The absence of a leading organization also adds to the seriousness of this problem. Creating a lead organization might help to solve this problem to some extent.

Short-term and often inefficient planning was one of the most important barriers in the areas of organizational barriers mentioned by most participants. The plans on RTIs in Iran usually lack the strategic vision and face problems in implementation. One possible reason for this problem may be the reliance of the programs on the persons. Some body prepares a plan, mostly by his/her own knowledge and experience, and when he/she has no more the authority, the plans change. This vicious circle then repeats. Sweden has managed to reduce and control RTIs based on timed strategic planning and by following annual objectives so that  the symbol of this program is the program of Vision Zero [53, 54]. Many successful countries in this regard have had similar strategic plans for preventing the RTIs [55, 56]. In the report by the WHO in 2004, one of the proposed measures to reduce RTIs is strategic and appropriate planning [49]. Incorrect and short-term planning may be due to other barriers, which were noted in the study such as the lack of leading organization, unclear tasks and roles, policymakers’ attitudes and lack of information. In this regard we propose a long-term macro-level plan with mid-term and short-term objective in which the responsibilities of all involved parties are clearly defined. Then the plans would not person-reliant.

The lack of basic and academic education was one of the major barriers in the area of scientific barriers mentioned by most participants. Studies have shown that public education alone does not reduce the losses or injuries of accidents [57, 58]. So the role of education and information dissemination and its value is diminished. The public education and awareness-raising which change the behaviors and the implementation of the relevant laws and regulations, might be effective together [59]. Education and public awareness-raising regarding the rules of the road and the increase of the acceptance of responsibility can be clearly effective. For example, people can be taught that what vehicle is safer for them to buy. Moreover, education can create the suitable atmosphere regarding the safety or acceptance of other interventions. In Iran, however, limited education is offered at schools on RTIs that its obvious example is the plan of the Police Collaborators [27], almost no education credit at the academic level is taught. Therefore, it is necessary that a series of public education (in the form of a single subject) for all academic disciplines will be considered. Like many countries of HICs, it is better to consider specialized fields at postgraduate level for the prevention of RTIs. As mentioned prior, one of the facilitators of RTI prevention is using expert manpower. The majority of current experts are graduates of foreign universities because the academic field is not available in Iran. Since studying in an abroad country is hard, it is better to establish the discipline in the domestic universities.

Senior officials’ attitude, people’s attitudes, traditional view, people’s low awareness, and low demand for safety were five barriers in the field of socio-cultural area. It seems that one of the main factors resulting in these barriers is low awareness. These problems can be resolved with different interventions. One of the most effective interventions can mobilize the media and sharing some information regarding the prevention of RTIs. Nowadays, this strategy is used in different countries [60-63]. Designing and implementing this mobilization appropriately will lead to less-cost accessibility to a larger group of audience receiving educational messages. The success of such programs depends on the accompanying of the complementary school-based and society-based programs. The presence of health education specialists along with the media employees in the design process of these programs can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of these measures. According to the search results, currently no intervention in this regard is in action in Iran. Thus, to remove these barriers, at least designing a cohort study that measures the effect of the educational mobilization of the media on the prevention of RTIs can be effective.

The sensitization of society and the authorities on the intensity of the problem of RTIs was another facilitator of the prevention of RTIs mentioned by most participants. The reason for this, in the participants’ view, was the increased number of deaths and injuries resulting from RTIs, reports published at national and international level concerning RTIs in Iran, publishing, broadcasting reports of RTIs, especially during the New Year period on the severity of the problem of RTIs and other similar reasons. The sensitization of society and the authorities puts the RTIs on the agenda of the government and many interested organizations. Being the RTIs on the agenda can be effective in reducing them directly (planning programs and intervention to reduce them) and indirectly (commitment and its importance)[64, 65]. As noted in the study by the participants, the dissemination of reports and information can change authorities and people’s attitudes and sensitize them. As it worked when approximately 40 years ago the last report of the WHO on road safety was released, it created a significant change in the transportation safety experts’ view and understanding about the necessary measures to prevent accidents and their damages [49].

A limitation of this study is poor generalizability of the study results to other environments and countries. Yet, carrying out similar studies in other countries might be helpful in identifying the barriers and facilitators of the prevention of RTIs in other countries.

The results of the present study indicated that from the key experts and stakeholders’ viewpoint in the field of RTIs in Iran, the barriers of prevention of RTIs are more than their facilitators. Therefore, planning and paying more attention to remove these barriers and to promote the facilitators seems indispensable. Designating a leading organization with adequate authority and resources, designing a systematic model of strategic plan in the field of the prevention of RTIs, designing and developing effective and efficient educational programs aimed at changing people’s behavior, mobilizing the media in terms of information dissemination conceding the prevention of RTIs, and establishing a committee with the representatives of the various organs of interest with clear definition of the duties in the field of managing the RTIs might be helpful.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all those who participated in the study.

Competing interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Funding: This study was part of a PhD thesis supported by School of Health Management, Iran University of Medical Sciences. Grant no 9221557209.