Barriers and facilitators of road traffic injuries prevention in Iran: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Identifying the barriers to and facilitators of the prevention of traffic injuries from the ‎perspective of the key stakeholders and experts seems indispensable. Objectives: The present ‎study aims to identify the barriers to and facilitators of the prevention of traffic injuries in Iran. ‎ METHODS: In this qualitative study with conventional Content-Analysis approach, 42 key stakeholders and ‎experts in the field of traffic injuries in Iran were selected based on purpose and theoretical ‎sampling to reach informational saturation and their views concerning barriers to and ‎facilitators of the prevention of traffic injuries in Iran were studied using semi-structured ‎interviews. Data was analyzed using Content-Analysis method. ‎ RESULTS: Five main barriers including: structural barriers, organizational barriers and planning, socio-‎cultural barriers, scientific barriers and intersectional barriers and 22 sub-themes were ‎extracted. The lack of lead agency, which was among structural barriers, was selected as the ‎main barrier. In addition, five general facilitators including sensitization of society and ‎authorities, use modern of facilities and equipment, increase of attention to safety (vehicles and ‎roads), increase of information and awareness, use of expert manpower were extracted. The ‎sensitization of society and authorities was selected as the most important facilitator. ‎ CONCLUSIONS: From key expert’s viewpoint, the barriers to the prevention of traffic injuries are more than their ‎facilitators. Therefore, planning and paying more attention to removing these barriers and ‎promoting the facilitators seems necessary to reduce traffic Injuries. Select a lead agency with ‎adequate powers and resources can be the highest priority of intervention.‎ KEYWORDS: Road traffic injuries, Prevention, Barriers, Facilitators