Effectiveness of Integrated Trauma System Implementation on Road Traffic Fatalities and Injuries in the North of Iran Using an Interrupted Time Series Analysis Publisher Pubmed



Homaie Rad E¹ ; Sadeghian F^{2, 3} ; Ghodsi Z² ; Yousefzadehchabok S¹ ; Ranjbar Hameghavandi MH² ; Ghashghaee S² ; Mohtashamamiri Z⁴ ; Heidari H¹ ; Oreilly G^{5, 6, 7} ; Ghodsi SM⁸ ; Rahimimovaghar V^{2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12}
Source: Journal of Research in Health Sciences Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Integrated trauma systems (ITS) have shown potential in reducing traffic crash-related injuries and mortality, although their structure and impact can vary. This study assessed the effectiveness of ITS in Guilan, Iran. Study Design: A retrospective observational study. Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional analysis, this descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Northern Iran from 2015 to 2019 to compare road traffic crash (RTC) data in Guilan (with ITS) against Mazandaran (without ITS), considering weather as a confounder. The study involved pre-and post-ITS intervention analyses to evaluate changes in RTC, injury, and mortality rates. Results: Before ITS implementation, Guilan’s daily RTC mean was 38.4 (SD = 16.7), which significantly decreased to 30.8 (SD = 13.7) after the intervention. Conversely, in the control province of Mazandaran, the daily average number of RTCs increased from 37.29 (SD = 14.1) to 42.55 (SD = 16.4) post-ITS implementation in Guilan. Furthermore, the mortality rate in Guilan showed a marginal decline from 27.74 (SD = 12.6) pre-ITS to 26.60 (SD = 11.9) post-ITS, indicating the positive impact of the ITS. In contrast, Mazandaran demonstrated a significant increase in mortality from 32.16 (SD = 14.5) to 51.75 (SD = 15.7). The statistical analysis confirmed a significant reduction in mortality and injury incidence in Guilan at the time of the intervention, with a marked decrease observed post-intervention (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings revealed that RTC prevention is feasible in Iran, with ITS in Guilan significantly reducing RTCs, injuries, and mortalities, underscoring the importance of ongoing efforts to expand ITS components nationally. © 2025 The Author(s).