Comparison of Traffic Accident Characteristics in Urban and Rural Settings: A Retrospective Study of Prehospital Emergency Data

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the epidemiological and clinical characteristics oftraffic accidents in urban and rural areas using prehospital emergency data.Methods: This retrospective case series analyzed electronic records of traffic accident victimswho were attended by prehospital emergency services in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, fromDecember ۲۰۲۴ to May ۲۰۲۵. All eligible cases registered in the Asayar integrated informationsystem during the study period were included in the analysis using census sampling (N = ۹۵۹۱).Data on demographic variables, temporal indicators, and clinical parameters were extracted.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version ۲۶.Results: Response time was significantly longer in rural areas compared to urban areas (۱۲.۹۲vs. ۹.۱۳ minutes, P < ۰.۰۰۱). Light vehicles predominated in rural accidents (۸۴.۵%), whereasmotorcycles accounted for the largest share in urban accidents (۳۸.۸%) (P < ۰.۰۰۱). The clinicalcondition of victims was significantly worse in rural accidents, with a higher proportion ofsevere Glasgow Coma Scale scores (۳.۶% vs. ۱.۳%, P < ۰.۰۰۱) and a greater percentage of lowperipheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂ < ۹۵%; ۸.۶% vs. ۴.۶%, P < ۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: Rural traffic accidents are associated with more severe injuries, worse physiologicalstatus, and longer prehospital response times. These findings underscore the urgent need fortargeted improvements in prehospital emergency services for rural road networks.

کلیدواژه ها:

Accidents ، Traffic ، retrospective studies ، Prehospital