Developing the role of the Iranian Red Crescent Society in road traffic injuries prevention: A multimethod qualitative study
نویسندگان
1 Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 Health Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
4 Medical Philosophy and History Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
5 Student Research Committee Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
6 Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Al-Anbia Specialist Hospital, Tehran, Iran
7 Spiritual Health Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
8 Health Management and Economics Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
9 Department of Health Policy Management, School of Management Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
10 Research Center for Health Management in Mass Gathering Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran
doi
10.48307/atr.2025.518486.1234چکیده
Background: Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) represent a significant public health challenge in Iran. Although the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) is a key humanitarian organization with extensive operational capacity, its role in RTI prevention remains inadequately articulated. Clarifying and expanding the roles of the IRCS can improve interagency coordination, optimize resource allocation, and facilitate evidence-based policymaking to alleviate the burden of traffic-related injuries.Objectives: This study employed a multimethod qualitative design to systematically define and develop the roles of the IRCS in RTI prevention.Methods: The study was conducted in Iran in 2024 using a multimethod qualitative approach. The first phase involved a scoping review of international literature and official documents to identify existing roles of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in RTI prevention. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants, including IRCS officials, RTI specialists, and relevant stakeholders, selected via purposive sampling with maximum variation (e.g., organizational position, geographic distribution, and professional experience). Interview transcripts were analyzed using conventional content analysis. The third phase consisted of two Delphi rounds with a panel of 15 experts who assessed the relevance and feasibility of the proposed roles through a structured questionnaire. Data from all phases were integrated iteratively, and validity was ensured through triangulation, member checking, and peer debriefing.Results: The scoping review identified 15 relevant publications, from which 14 preliminary roles were extracted and categorized into four thematic areas. The interview data contributed additional roles and contextual insights, resulting in an expanded framework of 20 roles. The Delphi process achieved consensus (defined as ≥80% agreement) on 18 roles. The most highly endorsed roles included public education, integration into national traffic safety initiatives, and volunteer training. Divergent opinions primarily concerned the extent of the IRCS’s involvement in advocacy and policymaking. The final framework comprises 5 themes and 18 roles, providing a context-specific, evidence-informed strategy for IRCS engagement in RTI prevention—thereby addressing a critical gap in Iran’s current public health approach. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the IRCS can play a substantial role in RTI prevention through public education and empowerment, knowledge translation, and enhancing both the quality and scope of services provided to RTI victims.
