Mortality by road traffic accidents in adolescents and young people, Brazil, 1996-2015: will we achieve SDG 3.6?

Trends in traffic accident mortality and social inequalities in Ecuador from 2011 to 2022

BACKGROUND

Traffic accidents (TA) remain a significant global public health concern, impacting low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to describe the trend in TA mortality and inequalities in Ecuador for 2011-2022, distributed by year, gender, age group, geographical location, type of accident, and social inequalities.

METHODS

An ecological study was conducted using INEC national-level data on TA fatalities in Ecuador. Mortality rates were calculated per 100,000 population and analyzed by year, gender, age group, geographic region, and accident type. Annual percentage variation (APV) was determined using linear regression models. Inequality analyses examined associations between TA mortality and socioeconomic factors like per capita income and literacy rates. Complex measures such as the Slope Inequality Index (SII) were calculated to assess the magnitude of inequalities.

RESULTS

There were 38,355 TA fatalities in Ecuador from 2011 to 2022, with an overall mortality rate of 19.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. The rate showed a non-significant decreasing trend (APV - 0.4%, p = 0.280). Males had significantly higher mortality rates than females (31.99 vs. 7.19 per 100,000), with the gender gap widening over time (APV 0.85%, p = 0.003). The Amazon region had the highest rate (24.4 per 100,000), followed by the Coast (20.4 per 100,000). Adults aged ≥ 60 years had the highest mortality (31.0 per 100,000), followed by those aged 25-40 years (28.6 per 100,000). The ≥ 60 age group showed the most significant rate decrease over time (APV - 2.25%, p < 0.001). Pedestrians were the most affected group after excluding unspecified accidents, with a notable decreasing trend (APV - 5.68%, p < 0.001). Motorcyclist fatalities showed an increasing trend, ranking third in TA-related deaths. Lower literacy rates and per capita income were associated with higher TA mortality risks. Inequality in TA mortality between provinces with the highest and lowest per capita income increased by 247.7% from 2011 to 2019, as measured by the SII.

CONCLUSION

While overall TA mortality slightly decreased in Ecuador, significant disparities persist across demographic groups and geographic regions. Older adults, males, pedestrians, and economically disadvantaged populations face disproportionately higher risks. The increasing trend in motorcycle-related fatalities and widening socioeconomic inequalities are particularly concerning.

MORTALITY DUE TO TRANSPORT ACCIDENTS IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO: 2005-2015

OBJECTIVE

To characterize cases of land transport accidents in the macro-regions of city of São Paulo in 2005, 2010, and 2015.

METHODS

This is a population-based, longitudinal and retrospective study of time series, based on a quantitative survey of land transport accidents that occurred in the city of São Paulo in 2005, 2010 and 2015 using data from the Mortality Information System of the City of São Paulo.

RESULTS

A total of 1,343, 1,567 and 1,088 deaths by accident recorded in the city' population in the years 2005, 2010 and 2015 respectively. The highest occurrences were in the age groups 15 to 24 years and 24 to 34 years. The highest number of deaths due to accidents was among males. The mortality rates observed in the macro-regions were South (23.8%), East (22%), North (21.6%), West (7.1%), and Center (3%). In comparing the years examined, there was a decline in the mortality rate per 100,000 inhabitants in most macro-regions.

CONCLUSION

Despite the decrease in overall accident mortality in most macro-regions, it still deserves attention on preventive traffic actions focused on young males living in peripheral neighborhoods, since they represent the most susceptible group. Level of evidence II; Retrospective Study.

Motor Vehicle Collisions during Adolescence: The Role of Alexithymic Traits and Defense Strategies

International literature has shown that adolescents represent the population most at risk of fatal and nonfatal motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). Adolescents’ alexithymic traits and significant use of immature defense strategies have been seen to play a key role. This study aimed to investigate the possible mediation role played by defense strategies use in the relationship between alexithymia and MVCs. Our sample consisted of 297 adolescents divided into four subgroups, based on the number of visits to the emergency department due to an MVC. We assessed adolescents’ alexithymic traits and defense strategies use through self-report instruments. Results showed that males reported a higher rate of MVCs than females. Higher rates of MVCs are associated with more alexithymic traits and maladaptive defense strategies use. Adolescents’ Acting Out and Omnipotence use significantly mediated the relationship between alexithymia and MVCs. Our findings suggest the recidivism of MVCs as an attempt to cope with emotional difficulties, with important clinical implications.

Frequency, characteristics and hospital outcomes of road traffic accidents and their victims in Guinea: a three-year retrospective study from 2015 to 2017

BACKGROUND

Road traffic accidents (RTA) remain a global public health concern in developing countries. The aim of the study was to document the frequency, characteristics and hospital outcomes of road traffic accidents in Guinea from 2015 to 2017.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using medical records of RTA victims from 20 hospitals and a cross-sectional study of RTA cases from eight police stations in eight districts in Guinea, West Africa. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, trends of RTA, a sequence of interrupted time-series models and a segmented ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression.

RESULTS

Police stations recorded 3,140 RTA over 3 years with an overall annual increase in RTA rates from 14.0 per 100,000 population in 2015, to 19.2 per 100,000 population in 2016 (37.1% annual increase), to 28.7 per 100,000 population in 2017 (49.5% annual increase). Overall, the injury rates in 2016 and 2017 were .05 per 100,000 population higher on average per month (95% CI: .03-.07). Deaths from RTA showed no statistical differences over the 3 years and no association of RTA trends with season was found. Overall, 27,751 RTA victims were admitted to emergency units, representing 22% of all hospitals admissions. Most victims were males (71%) and young (33%). Deaths represented 1.4% of all RTA victims. 90% of deaths occurred before or within 24 h of hospital admission. Factors associated with death were being male (p = .04), being a child under 15 years (p = .045) or an elderly person aged ≥65 years (p < .001), and having head injury or coma (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

RTA rates in Guinea are increasing. There is a need for implementing multisectoral RTA prevention measures in Guinea.

O Brasil rumo a 2030? Percepções de especialistas brasileiros(as) em saúde sobre o potencial de o País cumprir os ODS Brazil heading to 2030

RESUMO O objetivo do artigo foi analisar percepções de especialistas brasileiros(as) em saúde sobre as possibilidades de o País cumprir os Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) até 2030, sobretudo no que se refere às metas do ‘ODS 3 – Saúde e Bem-Estar’. Definiu-se como ‘especialista’ o autor principal de artigo no campo da saúde pública, publicado entre setembro de 2012 e 2017, em periódicos indexados na plataforma Web of Science (WoS). Suas percepções foram levantadas pela técnica de investigação a distância, com a aplicação de instrumento eletrônico de pesquisa, recebido e devolvido por e-mail, por 884 respondentes (universo da pesquisa), no período de 22 de janeiro a 09 de fevereiro de 2018 (campo da pesquisa). Os especialistas respondentes, que apresentam ‘médio’ e ‘alto’ conhecimento sobre os ODS, consideram como ‘baixas’ as possibilidades de o Brasil cumprir algum dos 17 objetivos. Para eles, o País deveria priorizar o ODS 4 (Educação de Qualidade) e 1 (Erradicação da Pobreza), também considerados como aqueles que mais contribuiriam para a consecução do ODS 3 (Saúde e Bem-Estar). Como recomendações de políticas que viabilizariam a consecução das nove metas do ODS 3, os especialistas respondentes evidenciaram a ‘redução da pobreza’, a ‘universalização da atenção básica’ e a ‘educação’ da população.