Morbimortalidade por causas externas em crianças e adolescentes e fatores associados

Abstract

Objective: To identify morbidity and mortality from external causes in children and adolescents aged 0-19 years in Campina Grande, Paraiba, between 2008 for 2011. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that analyzed 2,197 cadaveric and medical reports of corpus delicti with their respective police reports of children and adolescents aged 0-19 years, victims of morbidity and mortality from accidents and violence in the period from January 2008 to December 2011. The survey instrument consisted of a specific form, developed from the analysis of reports, with open, closed, multiple choice and dichotomous questions. The variables used were: sex, age, time, day of week, location of occurrence, aggressor, number of lesions, most affected region of the body, presence of fractures, maxillofacial injury, maxillofacial fracture, lesions in the oral cavity and death. Data were analyzed with the SPSS software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 18, using the Pearson s chi-square test and Fisher's exact test confidence intervals for variables mean, prevalence and odds ratio (p < 0.05). Results: There was a predominance of male victims over female victims (56.9% versus 43.1%), and the age group most affected was from 15 to 19 years, accounting for 65.5% of cases. The events occurred with more frequency over the weekend (35.7%) during the night (34.9%). The main causes of morbidity and mortality were aggressions (72.1%). With respect to traffic accidents, there were more records of accidents involving motorcyclists (48.9%). Significant associations (p <0.001) between variables victim's sex, age and etiology; maxillofacial injury, maxillofacial fracture and etiology; traffic accidents, aggressions, etiology and death were observed. The face (44.5%) was the most affected region of the body, with 12.2% of cases referring lesions in the oral cavity. Public roads (65.0%) were the main place of occurrence of events. In 4.5% of cases, there were records of these events in the school environment. Deaths were identified in 26.6% of cases. Conclusion: Aggressions and traffic accidents were the most prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality from external causes, primarily affecting males aged 15 - 19 years. The events occurred more frequently on weekends, during the night shift and on public roads. The study presents the dynamic external causes of morbidity and mortality in children and adolescents, indicating the magnitude of the problem and the impact generated in this population. Reflections compete, so for action planning and execution of measures which reduce such events.