BackgroundInjury is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and even more so in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Iran is a LMIC and lacks information regarding injury for program and policy purposes. This study aimed to describe the incidence and patterns of injury in one province in South Eastern Iran.MethodsA hospital-based, retrospective case review using a routinely collected registry in all Emergency Departments in Sistan and Baluchistan province, Iran for 12 months in 2007–2008.ResultsIn total 18,155 injuries were recorded during the study period. The majority of injuries in South Eastern Iran were due to road traffic crashes. Individuals living in urban areas sustained more injuries compared to individuals from rural areas. Males typically experienced more injuries than females. Males were most likely to be injured in a street/alley or village whereas females were most likely to be injured in or around the home. In urban areas, road traffic related injuries were observed to affect older age groups more than younger age groups. Poisoning was most common in the youngest age group, 0 to 4 years.ConclusionsThis study provides data on incidence and patterns of injury in South Eastern Iran. Knowledge of injury burden, such as this paper, is likely to help policy makers and planners with health service planning and injury prevention.

Background:In the present study, the epidemiologic aspects of road traffic crashes in South East of Iran are described.Methods:This cross-sectional study included the profile of 2398 motor vehicle crashes recorded in the police office in one Year in South East of Iran. Data collected included: demographics, the type of crash, type of involved vehicle, location of crash and factors contributing to the crash. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.Results:Collisions with other vehicles or objects contributed the highest proportion (62.4%) of motor vehicle crashes. Human factors including careless driving, violating traffic laws, speeding, and sleep deprivation/fatigue were the most important causal factors accounting for 90% of road crashes. Data shows that 41% of drivers were not using a seat belt at the time of crash. One- third of the crashes resulted in injury (25%) or death (5%).Conclusions:Reckless driving such as speeding and violation of traffic laws are major risk factors for crashes in the South East of Iran. This highlights the need for education along with traffic law enforcement to reduce motor vehicle crashes in future.

Background: Seatbelts are a relatively low-cost safety device that provides easy basic protection for occupants of 4-wheeled vehicles. Objectives: This study investigates frequency of seatbelt use and its related factors among drivers involved in a vehicle crash. Materials and Methods:In this cross-sectional study, all crash profiles recorded in a province from March 2010 to March 2011 were reviewed. Necessary information was extracted from crash reports in which at least one 4-wheeled vehicle was involved. Data were analyzed using binary and multinomial logistic regression. Results: Of a total of 1427 motor vehicle crashes, a seatbelt was used by 58.2% of drivers. In the univariate analysis, the following were significantly associated with seatbelt use: driver age, education, and occupation along with front seat passenger's sex and seatbelt use, type and make of vehicle, speed, road surface condition, and type of road. In the multivariate model, the following remained significant: driver education, seatbelt use by front seat passenger, and type of road. Furthermore, a restraining seatbelt protected drivers from severe injury and death. Unbelted drivers were 7 and 17.4 times more likely to experience injury and death respectively than belted drivers. Conclusions: The seatbelt wearing rate among the study participants was much lower than the 90% rate reported among Iranian drivers in 2010. Mandating seatbelt use, as in most countries, will be more effective if a combination of factors such as changes in vehicle design, road safety, and driver and passenger behavior are taken into account.