Perfil de vítima de acidente motociclístico na emergência de um hospital universitário

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF OPEN FRACTURES AND DEGREE OF SATISFACTION OF INITIAL CARE

ABSTRACT Introduction: Open fractures, although uncommon, with trauma have costs that exceed all other reasons for hospitalizations. Its epidemiology has fundamental importance to plan treatment and define priorities. Objective: To assess prospectively the epidemiological profile of open fractures and the degree of satisfaction with initial care. Methods: Epidemiological, prospective, descriptive, observational study was carried out in a convenience sample of open fractures. Quantitative, qualitative, and epidemiological aspects regarding open fractures were evaluated, as well as the degree of satisfaction with the initial care. Results: 124 patients treated with 155 open fractures. 88% were male; mean age 43 years (± 42.99); non-white (56.72%); married (52.41%); low level of education (51.60%); farmer, self-employed, bricklayer, industrialist (51.60%); with monthly earnings of up to 2 minimum wages (87%); healthy (76.13%); victims of labor accidents (39.51%) in bones of the hands (58.02%); 55% on the left side; attended between Thursday to Saturday (50%); work shift 6 a.m.-6 p.m. (77%). There was high level of satisfaction with the initial care provided (98%). Conclusion: Open fractures were related to healthy men, 43 years old, low education and low income, predominant in upper limbs, at 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Thursday to Saturday. Most were satisfied with the service provided. Level of Evidence II, Epidemiological, prospective, descriptive, observational study.

Age-related risk factors with nonfatal traffic accidents in urban areas in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to analyze the factors associated with the occurrence of nonfatal traffic accidents regarding age.

METHODS

A retrospective, transversal, and analytical study was carried out in the municipality of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, based on data from Boletins de Ocorrência de Acidente de Trânsito ("Police Occurrence Bulletins"; BOATs). Following probability sampling, the sociodemographic aspects, logistics, environmental conditions, and time of occurrence of 418 cases of accidents were analyzed. The age of the victims was considered to be the dependent variable. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate, multivariate, and variance analysis, considering a confidence interval of 95% and a significance level of 5% (P <.05).

RESULTS

Results revealed that young people (15-29 years) were twice as likely to be hospitalized due to severe injuries. Young motorcyclists had a 2.5 times greater chance of suffering accidents (P <.001); the use of other vehicles such as cars, bicycles, buses, and trucks represented a protective factor for this group (P <.05). Multiple logistic regression revealed that the main predictors for the occurrence of accidents were being single, having over 8 years of education, having had a driver's license for less than 3 years, roads with low luminosity, and driving at night.

CONCLUSIONS

Demographic, environmental, and logistical factors were associated with morbidity due to traffic accidents among young people. These results challenge society and policy makers to create more effective strategies to minimize this serious public health problem.