Facial trauma among victims of terrestrial transport accidents / Traumas faciais entre vítimas de acidentes de transporte terrestre

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: In developing countries, terrestrial transport accidents - TTA, especially those involving automobiles and motorcycles - are a major cause of facial trauma, surpassing urban violence. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional census study attempted to determine facial trauma occurrence with terrestrial transport accidents etiology, involving cars, motorcycles, or accidents with pedestrians in the northeastern region of Brazil, and examine victims' socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS: Morbidity data from forensic service reports of victims who sought care from January to December 2012 were analyzed. RESULTS: Altogether, 2379 reports were evaluated, of which 673 were related to terrestrial transport accidents and 103 involved facial trauma. Three previously trained and calibrated researchers collected data using a specific form. Facial trauma occurrence rate was 15.3% (n = 103). The most affected age group was 20-29 years (48.3%), and more men than women were affected (2.81:1). Motorcycles were involved in the majority of accidents resulting in facial trauma (66.3%). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of facial trauma in terrestrial transport accident victims tends to affect a greater proportion of young and male subjects, and the most prevalent accidents involve motorcycles.

Resumo Introdução: Nos países em desenvolvimento, os acidentes de transporte terrestre (ATTs) são uma das principais causas de trauma facial, superando os casos de violência urbana, especialmente aqueles envolvendo automóveis e motocicletas. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo transversal censitário foi determinar a ocorrência de traumas faciais com etiologia de acidente de transporte terrestre (ATT): automóveis, motocicletas ou atropelamentos, em uma cidade do Nordeste do Brasil. Método: Foram analisados os dados de morbidade em laudos de um serviço forense de vítimas que procuraram o serviço de janeiro a dezembro de 2010. Resultados: Ao todo, foram avaliados 2.379 laudos; 673 eram referentes a ATTs, e 103 apresentaram traumas faciais. A coleta de dados foi realizada por três pesquisadores previamente treinados e calibrados, sendo elaborado um formulário específico para coleta das informações contidas nos laudos. Destes, 15,3% (n = 103) sofreram trauma facial. A faixa etária predominante para os eventos de trauma facial foi de 20-29 anos (48,3%), acometendo mais homens do que mulheres (2,81:1). A motocicleta foi o principal tipo de veículo com envolvimento de vítimas (66,3%). Conclusões: A ocorrência de traumas faciais em vítimas de acidente de transporte terrestreten de a afetar, em maior proporção, indivíduos homens e jovens, com maior prevalência para os acidentes envolvendo motocicletas.

Characteristics of motorcyclists involved in accidents between motorcycles and automobiles / Características dos motociclistas envolvidos em acidentes entre motocicleta e automóvel

Introduction: traffic accidents are one of the main causes of death and disability, with motorcyclists representing the great majority of both the victims and the perpetrators. Objective: this work studied the characteristics of motorcyclists injured in accidents involving motorcycles and automobiles. Method: this study sought to interview 100 motorcyclists who had been injured in collisions between motorcycles and automobiles, and who were undergoing emergency hospital treatment in the region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The questionnaires included demographic information (age, gender, skin color, education level, profession) and questions about years of licensed driving practice, how often they would drive an automobile, how long they had had a motorcycle driver’s license, how often they would ride a motorcycle, the number of prior accidents involving a car, and the number of prior accidents not involving a car. Results: of the 100 consecutive accidents studied, 91 occurred with men and 9 with women, aged between 16 and 79 (m = 29 ± 11) years. Regarding their reason for using a motorcycle, 83% reported using it for transport, 7% for work, and 10% for leisure. Most of these accident victims had secondary or higher education (47%). Of the motorcyclists who held a car driver’s license, 68.3% drove the vehicle daily or weekly and held the license for more than one year. Sixty-seven percent of the accident victims used a motorcycle daily and had a motorcycle driver’s license for at least one year. Conclusion: among the motorcyclists injured, most were men aged 20 years or older, with complete secondary education, and experienced in driving both motorcycles and cars, indicating that recklessness while driving the motorcycle is the main cause of traffic accidents. .

Introdução: os acidentes de trânsito são uma das principais causas de morte e invalidez, sendo os motociclistas a maior parte de suas vítimas e seus causadores. Objetivo: estudar as características dos motociclistas envolvidos em acidentes entre motocicletas e automóveis. Métodos: foram entrevistados 100 motociclistas feridos em colisões entre motocicleta e automóvel que se encontravam em tratamento hospitalar de urgência no município de Belo Horizonte. O questionário continha sua identificação (idade, sexo, cor da pele, escolaridade, profissão) e perguntas sobre tempo de habilitação para dirigirem automóvel, frequência com que dirigiam automóvel, tempo de habilitação para conduzirem motocicleta, frequência com que dirigiam motocicleta, número de acidentes prévios envolvendo automóvel e número de acidentes prévios sem relação com automóvel. Resultados: dos 100 acidentados consecutivos estudados, 91 eram homens e 9 eram mulheres com idade de 16 a 79 anos (M=29±11). Quanto à finalidade do uso da motocicleta, 83% a empregavam para transporte, 7% para trabalho e 10% para lazer, tendo a maior parte dos acidentados pelo menos o ensino médio completo (47%). Dos motociclistas que possuíam habilitação para automóvel, 68,3% dirigiam o veículo diária ou semanalmente e possuíam a habilitação por período superior a 1 ano; 67% dos acidentados conduziam motocicleta diariamente e tinham pelo menos 1 ano de habilitação para motocicleta. Conclusão: entre os 100 acidentados, predominaram homens com idade superior a 20 anos, ensino médio completo, experiência em conduzir motocicletas e automóveis, indicando que a imprudência ao conduzir a motocicleta tenha sido a principal causa de acidentes de trânsito. .

Transport and health: a look at three Latin American cities / Transporte y salud: una mirada a tres ciudades latinoamericanas / Transporte e saúde: um olhar sobre três cidades latino-americanas

Transport is associated with environmental problems, economic losses, health and social inequalities. A number of European and US cities have implemented initiatives to promote multimodal modes of transport. In Latin America changes are occurring in public transport systems and a number of projects aimed at stimulating non-motorized modes of transport (walking and cycling) have already been implemented. Based on articles from peer-reviewed academic journals, this paper examines experiences in Bogotá (Colombia), Curitiba (Brazil), and Santiago (Chile), and identifies how changes to the transport system contribute to encourage active transportation. Bus rapid transit, ciclovias, bike paths/lanes, and car use restriction are initiatives that contribute to promoting active transportation in these cities. Few studies have been carried out on the relationship between transport and physical activity. Car ownership continues to increase. The public health sector needs to be a stronger activist in the transport policy decision-making process to incorporate health issues into the transport agenda in Latin America.

El transporte está asociado con problemas ambientales, pérdidas económicas, salud poblacional e inequidades sociales. En ciudades de Europa y Estados Unidos hay iniciativas para promover el transporte multimodal. En Latinoamérica hay proyectos en curso para cambiar los sistemas de transporte y estimular el transporte no motorizado (caminar y montar bicicleta). Basada en una revisión de artículos publicados en revistas académicas, se identifica de qué forma los cambios en el transporte en Bogotá (Colombia), Curitiba (Brasil) y Santiago (Chile) han contribuido a promover el transporte activo. A pesar que en estas tres ciudades se están implementando iniciativas para promover el transporte activo (sistema de autobuses articulados, ciclovías, ciclorutas, y restricciones para el uso del coche particular), pocos estudios han sido desarrollados sobre la relación entre el transporte y la actividad física utilitaria. La tenencia del coche particular continúa incrementándose. El sector de salud necesita ser un agente fuerte para incorporar la salud pública en la agenda de transporte en América Latina.

O transporte está associado a problemas ambientais, perdas econômicas, de saúde da população e as desigualdades sociais. Em cidades da Europa e da América existem esforços para promover o transporte multimodal. Na América Latina, há projetos em andamento para mudar os sistemas de transporte e incentivar o transporte não motorizado (caminhar e andar de bicicleta). Com base em uma revisão de artigos publicados em revistas acadêmicas identificou-se como as mudanças no transporte contribuíram para promover o transporte ativo em Bogotá (Colômbia), Curitiba (Brasil) e Santiago (Chile). Apesar de que nestas três cidades se estejam implementando iniciativas para promover o transporte ativo (sistema de ônibus articulado, ciclovias, pistas de ciclismo e restrições ao uso do automóvel particular), poucos estudos têm sido desenvolvidos sobre a relação entre transporte e atividade física utilitária. O uso de carro particular continua aumentando. O setor da saúde tem de ser um ativista forte para incorporar a saúde pública na agenda de transportes na América Latina.

Road traffic deaths, injuries and disabilities in India: current scenario.

In 2005, road traffic injuries resulted in the death of an estimated 110,000 persons, 2.5 million hospitalizations, 8-9 million minor injuries and economic losses to the tune of 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in India. If the present trend continues, India will witness the deaths of 150,000 persons and hospitalization of 3 million people annually by 2010, increasing further to 200,000 deaths and more than 3.5 million hospitalizations annually by 2015. Nearly 10%-30% of hospital registrations are due to road traffic injuries and a majority of these people have varying levels of disabilities. A majority of victims of road traffic injuries are men in the age group of 15-44 years and belong to the poorer sections of society. Also, a vast majority of those killed and injured are pedestrians, motorcyclists and pillions riders, and bicyclists. A clearly defined road safety policy, a central coordinating agency, allocation of adequate resources, strict implementation of proven and effective interventions and reliable information systems are urgently required. Greater participation from health and other sectors based on an integrated, intersectoral and coordinated approach is essential. Health professionals can contribute in numerous ways and should take a lead role in reducing the burden of road traffic injuries in India.

Epidemiologic characteristics of drivers, vehicles, pedestrians and road environments involved in road traffic injuries in rural Thailand.

This report presents descriptive epidemiology of vehicle-related crashes that caused severe injuries in a defined geographical area in northern Thailand, conducted to determine the nature of injuries and factors that contributed to the crashes. In each incident, the driver and other victims were identified and interviewed by a trained public health worker using a standard investigation form. During 1991, 286 single-vehicle crashes (66.4%), 117 crashes with other vehicles (27.1%), and 28 crashes involving pedestrians (6.5%) occurred in the area. These crashes injured 581 persons (551 vehicle occupants and 30 pedestrians), of whom 36 (6.2%) died. The vehicles involved in the crashes included 11 bicycles (2.3%), 371 motorcycles (78.6%), and 90 other motor vehicles (ie, pick-up trucks, lorries, and cars) (19.1%). Motorcycle-related crashes accounted for the majority of injuries and deaths. Driver risk factors for traffic injuries, such as alcohol consumption, lack of a valid driving licence, limited driving experience, and being a teenage driver, occurred more commonly among drivers of motorcycles than of other motor vehicles. Poor vehicle conditions and road environments reported in some incidents may have posed additional risks. Pedestrian factors, including young and old age, and alcohol use, may also have contributed to the occurrence of pedestrian injuries. Our system of data collection using an investigation form can provide relevant information, leading to the development of appropriate accident prevention programs for the community.