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Abstract
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In many high-income economies, there is a great emphasis on the importance of collecting and analyzing information of traffic crash victims in the field of traffic incident injury and mortality control. In low- and middle-income economies, control and prevention of injuries have been deal with many challenges. It seems that one of the crucial factors and determinants of inability of the low- and middle-income countries to design effective strategies to control and prevent mortality and injuries is failure in collection of valuable, valid, timely, and relevant information (1). In addition, one of the important barriers to control and prevention of road traffic injuries in such countries is inaccurate and inadequate information for recognition of risk factors in a region (2).
There are many challenges in monitoring and collecting information about road traffic injuries. According to the experts, establishment of a surveillance system is regarded as one of the important solutions for solving these problems. In this regard, one of the most important challenges is lack of proper definition for words or terms used in this area. World health organization (WHO) has defined surveillance as systematic and continuous collection, analysis and interpretation of health data required for planning, and implementation and evaluation of public health performance, which significantly depends on timely distribution of the data to stakeholders those who need it (3). In Iran, the word "surveillance" mainly is interpreted as "care", and has been more used in following up and monitoring of information related to communicable and non-communicable diseases. However, whether this word accurately conforms to the definition provided by WHO or not is a matter of debates. It seems that there have been some challenges in the use of the word "care" instead of "surveillance" since the importance of interpretation and distribution of information and obtaining feedbacks are not covered by this word. In Persian language, the word "care" mainly used in nursing and medicine fields that includes services, which help healthcare experts to provide the best treatment for patients (4).
The definition for "care" provided by the Persian language and literature academy conforms to the definition presented in the Oxford Dictionary (5). Other definitions provided in the Persian language and literature academy include guarding, watching, keeping watch on, keeping under surveillance, attention, treatment, protection, precision, observance and maintenance. Moreover, in English, some of the synonyms for "care" are attention, watch, vigilance, lookout, jealousy, and guard.
Another definition for surveillance provided by the Oxford Dictionary is accurate and continuous observation of cases or places where crime or casualty is possible. However, the Persian language and literature academy has used the word "care" for "surveillance", and has provided this definition for the concept of care: "organized and continuous collection and analysis of the data related to a disease or public health status". As observed, the definition of WHO is not completely covered by this definition as well. Since the term "care" is a matter of maintenance and attention, it cannot fully cover all activities hidden in the word "surveillance". It is recommended that using the word "care" should be applied instead of "surveillance" with more caution.
It seems that if there is an accurate definition for terms related to monitoring of road traffic mortality and injury, more precise descriptions can be provided for strategies related to the prevention and decrease of road traffic injuries. Moreover, monitoring of information related to road traffic crashes would not be limited to the collection and analysis of the data, and information would be properly distributed among beneficiaries to make appropriate decisions. In fact, the final goal of surveillance, which is use of this information in control and prevention, would be achieved at the same time (3). It should be noted that prevention of road traffic injuries is the mutual responsibility of all beneficiaries. Therefore, providing these data for all beneficiaries and receiving their feedbacks are the major pillars of this process, which requires the inter-sectoral collaboration of all involved
organizations. In fact, the related organizations must cooperate in sharing information, designing strategies and supporting and developing the capacities (6).
Nevertheless, lack of proper use of surveillance has been one of the challenges of many countries mainly due to forgetting about or neglecting the interpretation and distributing of the data. Given the importance of establishment of a road traffic injuries system in Iran to take preventive measures on one hand, and necessity of adherence to the policies of Persian language and literature academy in proper use of the desired terms on the other hand, it is recommended that "road traffic surveillance system" be used instead of "care" in cases where surveillance of traffic crashes is considered. In addition, it is suggested that organized and continuous collecting of the data related to traffic crashes be always regarded along with the analysis, interpretation and distribution of the data and their feedbacks for beneficiaries.
Language: en |