Author/Authors :
Azmin, Mehrdad Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Jafari, Ayyoob Biomedical and Mechatronics Engineering - Faculty of Electrical - Islamic Azad University Qazvin Branch, Qazvin, Iran , Rezaei, Nazila Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Bhalla, Kavi Department of Public Health Sciences - University of Chicago, Chicago, USA , Bose, Dipan Transport Specialist - World Bank, Washington, USA , Shahraz, Saeid Heller School of Social Policy and Management - Brandeis University, Massachusetts, USA , Dehghani, Mina Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Administration - School of Pharmacy - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Niloofar, Parastoo Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Fatholahi, Soraya Department of Health in Disaster and Emergencies - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Hedayati, Javad Safety and Traffic Department - Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, Tehran, Iran , Jamshidi, Hamidreza Department of Pharmacology - School of Medicine - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Farzadfar, Farshad Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Objective: Deaths due to road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a major public health concern around the world. Developing countries are over-represented in these statistics. Punitive measures are traditionally employed to lower RTA related behavioural risk factors. These are, however, resource intensive and require infrastructure development. This is a randomised controlled study to investigate the effect of non-punitive behavioural intervention through peer-comparison feedback based on driver behaviour data gathered by an in-vehicle telematics device.
Design, Setting, and Participants: A randomised controlled trial using repeated measures design conducted in Iran on the drivers of 112 public transport taxis in Tehran province and 1309 inter-city busses operating nationwide. Driving data is captured by an in-vehicle telematics device and sent to a centrally located data centre using a mobile network. The telematics device is installed in all vehicles. Participants are males aged above 20 who have had the device operating in their vehicles for at least 3 months prior to the start of the trial.
Intervention: The study had three stages: 1- Driver performance was monitored for a 4-week period after which they were randomised into intervention and control groups. 2- Their performance was monitored for a 9-week period. At the end of each week, drivers in the intervention group received a scorecard and a note informing them of their weekly behaviour and ranking within their peer group. Drivers in the control group received no feedback via short messaging service (SMS). 3- Drivers did not receive further feedback and their behaviour was monitored for another 4 weeks. Primary and Secondary Outcome Measure: Primary outcome was changes in weekly driving score in intervention and control groups during stage 2 of intervention. Taxis and busses were analysed separately using generalised estimating equation analysis.
Funding and Ethical Approval: This project was funded by the National Institute for Medical Research Development (Grant No.940576) and approved by its ethics committee (Code: IR.NIMAD.REC.1394.016). This trial was registered at www.irct.ir as IRCT20180708040391N1.
Keywords :
Behavioural intervention , Big data , Public health , Road traffic injury , Telematics
