Developing a national road traffic safety education program in Iran

• Published in: BMC public health 2020-07, Vol.20 (1), p.1-1064, Article 1064
• Main Authors: Bakhtari Aghdam, Fatemeh, Sadeghi-Bazargani, Homayoun, Azami-Aghdash, Saber, Esmaeili, Alireza, Panahi, Haneieh, Khazaee-Pool, Maryam, Golestani, Mina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Casualties; Children; Content analysis; Data analysis; Delphi method; Developed countries; Drivers' licenses; Driving ability; Education; Educational program; Emergency medical care; Emergency medical services; Experts; Fatalities; Fines & penalties; First aid; Focus groups; Germany; Health promotion; Injury prevention; Interviews; Iran; Medical research; Mortality; National program; Pedestrians; Physical fitness; Preschool education; Public health; Qualitative analysis; Questionnaires; Roads; Roads & highways; Safety; Safety training; Schools; Society; Students; Target groups; Teachers; Teaching methods; Traffic accidents & safety; Traffic behavior; Traffic regulations; Traffic safety; Validity
• ISSN: 1471-2458; 1471-2458
• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09142-1

Background Education is a pivot included Decade of Action for Road Safety initiative, which has reduced deaths caused by accidents in developed countries. Given the circumstances of each country, a proper education program is necessary. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop the National Road Traffic Safety Education Program (NRTSEP) and reduce Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs). Methods This study used a qualitative approach and was conducted in Iran. Data were obtained through sixteen semi-structured in-depth interviews from indifferent road safety and health promotion field experts as well as eleven focus group discussion (FGD) sessions conducted with participants from general population. Inductive qualitative content analysis was used to converge and compare themes through data. The initial pattern of the program was developed and subsequently, the designed program was validated and finalized by two-step Delphi method for the consensus of expert opinion. Results The following six main themes emerged from the analysis: target groups, program content, educational methods, instructors, resources and evaluation. The target group consisted of children, youth, parents, teachers, elderly, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, drivers, driver license applicants, instructors and administrators of driving schools, and specific groups such as the disabled, managers at different levels, and policymakers. The content of the program consisted of 27 items, including traffic laws and regulations, first aid, and medical emergencies. Educational practices and authorities were determined based on the target group and educational content. The most important resources of the program were human force and other cases, which can be managed in case of a lead agency. In the evaluation dimension, the cases such as mortality rate, hospitalization, behavioral changes, and other cases can be considered. Conclusions The designed program should be implemented for all target groups for road safety promotion. The proper content was provided with proper educational methods and instructors for the target groups. A lead agency is needed to provide the resources and funding to run the program. Keywords: Traffic safety, Educational program, Traffic behavior, National program