Impact of Response Time and Prehospital Care on Mortality in Road Traffic Accidents of Balochistan

Background: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with delayed emergency response and inadequate prehospital care significantly impacting outcomes. In resource-limited settings like Balochistan, these factors pose critical challenges, exacerbated by infrastructural and logistical constraints.Objective: To evaluate the impact of response time and prehospital care on mortality and recovery outcomes in RTAs in Balochistan.Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in four tertiary care hospitals in Balochistan, focusing on RTAs along three major highways. Data from 300 cases were analyzed, divided into two groups: 150 cases before 2019 and 150 after 2019. Information was collected through structured questionnaires and emergency service records. Response times were categorized as "early" (8–15 minutes) or "late" (>15 minutes). Prehospital care, injury type, and treatment outcomes were also assessed. Statistical analyses included chi-square and independent t-tests using SPSS 25. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained.Results: Group 2 demonstrated significantly longer response times (>15 minutes: 89.3% vs. 24.7%, p<0.001) and lower prehospital care rates (24.7% vs. 71.3%, p<0.001). Mortality increased in Group 2 (11.3% vs. 4.7%, p=0.046), while full recovery decreased (31.3% vs. 47.3%, p=0.003).Conclusion: Delayed response times and reduced prehospital care significantly worsened RTA outcomes in Balochistan. Strengthening emergency systems and prehospital care is critical to reducing mortality.