الملخص الإنجليزي
Background: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) and deaths constitute a serious preventable global public health problem.
Aims: To analyse time trends of age-standardized mortality rates and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) caused by RTIs
in 23 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries; and to assess the correlation between national implementation
of best practice for road safety recommended by the World Health Organization, national income level, and RTI burden.
Methods: Time trend analysis over 17 years (2000–2016) was conducted using Joinpoint regression. An overall score was
calculated for each country to assess implementation of best practice for road safety.
Results:Mortality decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman,
Qatar, and Tunisia. In most MENA countries, DALYs increased but they significantly decreased in the Islamic Republic of
Iran. The score calculated varied widely among the MENA countries. In 2016, no correlation was identified between the
overall score and mortality and DALYs. National income was not associated with RTI mortality or the calculated overall
score.
Conclusion: Countries in the MENA region had varying levels of success in reducing the burden from RTIs. During the
Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, MENA countries can achieve optimal road safety by implementing measures
that are customized for the local context, such as law enforcement and public education. Other focus areas for improving
road safety are building capacity in sustainable safety management and leadership, improving vehicle standards, and
addressing gaps in areas such as use of child restraint
