en عمومى General گزارش کوتاه Short Communication <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span style="line-height:115%"><strong><span style="line-height:115%">Introduction:</span></strong><span style="line-height:115%"> Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are one of the top five causes of morbidity and mortality in South-East Asian countries, including Iran. The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology of road traffic accidents in Khash, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran</span></span><br> <span style="line-height:115%"><strong><span style="line-height:115%">Materials and Methods: </span></strong><span style="line-height:115%">This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3,508 individuals injured in road traffic accidents who were transferred to the emergency department of Ali-Ibn Abitaleb Hospital in Khash between <a name="_Hlk222176072">March 21, 2023, and February 18, 2024</a>. Data were extracted from medical records using a structured checklist and were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 22. <strong><span style="font-weight:normal"></span></strong></span></span><br> <span style="line-height:115%"><strong><span style="line-height:115%">Results: </span></strong><span style="line-height:115%">The study found that road traffic injuries mainly affect young males, drivers, and urban residents, with cars and motorcycles being the most commonly involved vehicles. Nearly half of the patients required extended hospital stays, indicating a significant healthcare burden. These findings highlight the need for targeted preventive measures, including improved traffic safety, public education, and stricter law enforcement.</span></span><br> <span style="line-height:115%"><strong><span style="line-height:115%">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style="line-height:115%"> Road traffic accidents primarily affect young males and urban drivers, posing a significant public health and healthcare burden. Targeted preventive strategies, including enhanced traffic safety measures, public awareness, and stricter law enforcement, are urgently needed to reduce their occurrence and impact.</span></span></span></span><br> &nbsp;</div> Epidemiology, Hospitalization, Traffic accident, Injury Characteristics 271 276 http://jebhpme.ssu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-432-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Shiva Kargar shivakargar@yahoo.com 0000-0003-2058-8035 Yes Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. Azar Abolpour azar.abolpur@gmail.com No Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. Hanie Dahmardeh haniedahmardeh@gmail.com No Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.