Riesgos de accidentes en el hogar: factores asociados y su efecto sobre la ocurrencia de accidentes en grupos vulnerables.

OBJETIVO: Estimar el nivel de exposición a riesgos de ac-cidentes en hogares vulnerables, identificando sus factores asociados y analizar su relación con la ocurrencia de acciden-tes en México. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal que analiza una submuestra de información del Secretariado Técnico del Consejo Nacional para la Prevención de Acci-dentes, recolectada durante 2016-2019. Se utilizó regresión Poisson para estimar factores asociados con el número de riesgos presentes en hogares donde residía población infantil (<5) y adulta mayor (75+) y regresión logística para analizar la ocurrencia de accidentes. RESULTADOS: En hogares con <5 hubo en promedio seis riesgos; 2.9 donde residían 75+. La prevalencia de lesiones accidentales el año previo fue 3.1% (IC95%=2.0,4.6) en <1 año, 7.6% (IC95%=6.9,8.4) en 1-4 años y 17.1% (IC95%=15.6,18.7) en 75+. Las caídas fueron la principal causa. CONCLUSIONES: Existe un elevado número de riesgos en hogares con población vulnerable; es necesario fortalecer las estrategias de prevención, educación y promoción de la salud.

Factors associated with the severity of road traffic injuries from emergency department based surveillance system in two Mexican cities.

BACKGROUND: Limited data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) on the severity of road traffic injuries (RTIs) and their relation to different variables of interest are routinely obtained. Knowledge on this subject relies on evidence from high-income countries, which might not be the same as in LMICs. This information is greatly needed to advance and inform local and regional efforts towards the United Nations' Decade of Action and the Sustainable Development Goals. METHODS: From May 2012 to November 2014, a RTI surveillance system was implemented in two referral hospitals in two Mexican cities, León and Guadalajara, with the objective of exploring the relationship between Injury Severity Score (ISS) and different sociodemographic characteristics of the injured as well as different variables related to the event and the environment. All individuals suffering RTIs who visited the Emergency Rooms (ER) were included after granting informed consent. A Zero-Truncated Negative Binomial Model was employed to explore the statistical association between ISS and variables of interest. RESULTS: 3024 individuals participated in the study: 2185 (72.3%) patients from León and 839 patients (27.7%) from Guadalajara. Being male, in the 20-59 age-group, having less schooling, events occurring in Guadalajara, on Sundays, at night, and arriving at ER via public/private ambulance were all associated with an increased log count of ISS. Found a significant interaction effect (p-value< 0.05) between type of road user and alcohol intake six hours before the accident on severity of the injury (ISS). The use of illicit drugs, cellphones and safety devices during the event showed no association to ISS. CONCLUSIONS: Our study contributes to the statistical analysis of ISS obtained through RTI hospital surveillance systems. Findings might facilitate the development and evaluation of focused interventions to reduce RTIs in vulnerable users, to enhance ER services and prehospital care, and to reduce drink driving.

Unintentional injuries in Mexico, 1990-2017: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

BACKGROUND: To date, the burden of injury in Mexico has not been comprehensively assessed using recent advances in population health research, including those in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (GBD 2017). METHODS: We used GBD 2017 for burden of unintentional injury estimates, including transport injuries, for Mexico and each state in Mexico from 1990 to 2017. We examined subnational variation, age patterns, sex differences and time trends for all injury burden metrics. RESULTS: Unintentional injury deaths in Mexico decreased from 45 363 deaths (44 662 to 46 038) in 1990 to 42 702 (41 439 to 43 745) in 2017, while age-standardised mortality rates decreased from 65.2 (64.4 to 66.1) in 1990 to 35.1 (34.1 to 36.0) per 100 000 in 2017. In terms of non-fatal outcomes, there were 3 120 211 (2 879 993 to 3 377 945) new injury cases in 1990, which increased to 5 234 214 (4 812 615 to 5 701 669) new cases of injury in 2017. We estimated 2 761 957 (2 676 267 to 2 859 777) disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to injuries in Mexico in 1990 compared with 2 376 952 (2 224 588 to 2 551 004) DALYs in 2017. We found subnational variation in health loss across Mexico's states, including concentrated burden in Tabasco, Chihuahua and Zacatecas. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico, from 1990 to 2017, mortality due to unintentional injuries has decreased, while non-fatal incident cases have increased. However, unintentional injuries continue to cause considerable mortality and morbidity, with patterns that vary by state, age, sex and year. Future research should focus on targeted interventions to decrease injury burden in high-risk populations.

[Non-fatal unintentional injuries in Mexican population: prevalence and associated factors. Ensanut 2018-19]. / Accidentes no fatales en población mexicana, prevalencia y factores asociados. Ensanut 2018-19.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of non-fatal uninten-tional injuries in Mexican population and to analyze individual, environmental and household factors associated with its occurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study, analyzed the prevalence of unintentional injuries from Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut 2018-19), which is a nationally representative health survey designed with a probability, stratified and cluster sampling, in three stages. Association with variables of interest was explored using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence of non-fatal unintentional injuries was 4.5% (IC95%: 4.2-4.7), equivalent to 5.6 million people per year. Of them, 22.3% or 1.2 million suffered permanent consequences. Probability of having unintentional injuries was higher in the North and Center regions, as in Mexico City-State of Mexico; in males from 0 to 59 and females of 60 or more years of age, in people living with disabilities and those who self-reported depres-sion symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Strengthening unintentional injury prevention is necessary and urgent, especially within vulnerable groups of population.

OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de lesiones accidentales no fatales en población mexicana y analizar los factores individuales, ambientales y del hogar asociados con su ocu-rrencia. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analizó la prevalencia de lesiones accidentales a partir de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut) 2018-19, diseñada con un muestreo probabilístico, estratificado y por conglomerados, en tres etapas. Se evaluó mediante regresión logística su asociación con distintas variables independientes. RESULTADOS: La pre-valencia de lesiones accidentales fue de 4.5% (IC95%: 4.2-4.7), equivalente a 5.6 millones de personas. De ellas, 22.3% o 1.2 millones sufrieron consecuencias permanentes en su estado de salud. La posibilidad de tener una lesión accidental fue mayor en región Norte, Centro y Ciudad de México-Estado de México, en hombres de 0 a 59 años, mujeres de 60 o más años, en personas con alguna discapacidad y en quienes reportaron sentir depresión. CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario y urgente reforzar la prevención de lesiones accidentales, especialmente en grupos vulnerables.

[Analysis of unintentional injuries in vulnerable populations, Mexico 2018.] / Análisis de las lesiones accidentales no fatales en población vulnerable, México 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of unintentional injuries (UI) in people residing in localities with <100 000 inhabitants and to analyze its association with different environmental, household and individual characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional design that analyses the UI component of Ensanut 100k, which is a probabilistic national survey that focused on households beneficiaries of the program Prospera and those with fewer economic capabilities. Prevalence of UI was estimated considering the complex design of the survey. Association with variables of interest was explored using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence of UI was 5.15% (CI95%: 1.43-6.16); probability was higher in male, those living in the region CDMX-EdoMex, and those with hearing and motor disability. CONCLUSIONS: Policies directed to prevent UI need to be strengthened to promote health and quality of life amongst individuals, par- ticularly those with social and economic vulnerability, and to reduce the burden that these conditions impose to public health in Mexico.

OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de lesiones accidentales en población que reside en localidades con <100 000 habitantes y analizar su asociación con características individuales, ambien­tales y del hoga. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Diseño transversal que analiza el componente de accidentes de la Ensanut 100k, encuesta probabilística, estratificada, por conglomerados que sobrerrepresenta hogares beneficiarios del programa Prospera y aquellos con menos recursos económicos. Su asociación con distintas variables independientes se estableció a partir de un modelo de regresión logística, considerando el muestreo complejo. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de lesiones acciden­tales fue 5.15% (IC95%: 1.43-6.16) equivalente a cerca de 3.3 millones de personas. La probabilidad fue mayor en hombres, en la región CDMX-EdoMex y en personas con discapacidad auditiva/motora. CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario fortalecer la política de prevención de lesiones accidentales, especialmente la dirigida a grupos con alta vulnerabilidad social y económica, para cuidar su salud y calidad de vida, y reducir la carga que generan para la salud pública.

[Legislation on road safety in Mexico: a subnational analysisLegislação de segurança viária no México: uma análise subnacional]. / Legislación sobre seguridad vial en México: un análisis subnacional.

OBJECTIVE: Study federal and state regulations to determine to what extent road safety recommendations are followed with regard to different risk factors and protective factors. METHODS: A descriptive analysis was made of the legal frameworks for road safety at the federal level and in the 32 Mexican states, identifying those that had regulations respecting the main risk factors (speeding, drinking and driving, and cellphone use while driving) and the main protective factors against road injuries (helmet use, seat belt use, and use of child restraint systems). The adequacy of these regulations was analyzed on the basis of Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) recommendations. The types of sanctions prescribed in these regulations are also described. RESULTS: Slightly less than 10% of the entities studied had specific regulations respecting the six protective and risk factors considered. It was noted that "drinking and driving" and "helmet use" are, respectively, the risk factor and protective factor most commonly included in state laws. Adequate regulations were found in only two states: Zacatecas (regarding speeding) and Jalisco (seat belts, child restraint systems, and helmet use). Monetary fines are the most frequently applied sanction. CONCLUSIONS: It is a key priority to promote comprehensive laws with provisions that adequately address technical and scientific criteria for protection and prevention, as well as appropriate mechanisms for monitoring, regulation, and sanctions.

OBJETIVO: Realizar un diagnóstico de la normativa federal y estatal para determinar en qué medida se siguen las recomendaciones en materia de seguridad vial para distintos factores de riesgo y factores protectores. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los distintos ordenamientos jurídicos federales y de las 32 entidades federativas de México en el tema de la seguridad vial. Se identificaron aquellas que tenían disposiciones sobre los principales factores de riesgo (exceso de velocidad, alcohol y conducción, uso de celular al conducir) y protectores de lesiones causadas por el tránsito (uso de casco, uso de cinturón de seguridad y uso de sistemas de retención infantil) y se analizó si estas eran adecuadas, con base en las recomendaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud/Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OMS/OPS). Además, se describen los tipos de sanciones empleados en dichos ordenamientos. RESULTADOS: Poco menos de 10% de las entidades analizadas cuentan con normatividad específica para los seis factores protectores y de riesgo analizados. Se observó que el factor de riesgo "alcohol y conducción" y el factor protector "uso de casco" son los que están más considerados en las leyes estatales. Solo en dos entidades federativas (estados) la normatividad es adecuada: en Zacatecas (en el tema de velocidad) y en Jalisco (cinturón de seguridad, sistemas de retención infantil y uso de casco). La sanción aplicada con mayor frecuencia es la multa económica. CONCLUSIONES: Es fundamental y prioritario impulsar leyes integrales que contemplen disposiciones adecuadas que aborden criterios técnicos y científicos de protección y prevención, así como los mecanismos apropiados para vigilar, regular y sancionar.

[Analysis of road traffic injuries in Mexican cyclists]. / Análisis de las lesiones causadas por el tránsito sufridas por ciclistas en México.

With the objective of analyzing fatal and non-fatal road traffic injuries in cyclists and to document helmet use in this road user to inform sustainable mobility policies, a descriptive analysis of four secondary official information sources was conducted at the national level: mortality, Ministry of Health's hospital discharges, Unintentional and Violence Registry System (SIS-SS-17-P) and the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT). Only SIS-SS-17-P and ENSANUT document helmet use. Except for ENSANUT information analyzed is of 2014.A total of 190 cyclists died in Mexico during 2014 and 392 were hospitalized; head was the anatomical region most frequently affected (63% and 32%, respectively). Only 0.75% of the 667 cases registered in SIS-17 reported helmet use and 24% suffered head injuries. Of the 165,348 non-fatally injured cyclists from ENSANUT <10% used helmet, 24% had head injuries and more than 16,000 suffered permanent injuries. Whereas cyclist-friendly infrastructure is an effective intervention to prevent injuries in the long term, helmet use could potentially reduce the frequency and severity of head injuries in the short run while bicycle use widespread as a means of transportation providing "safety in numbers".

The Road Traffic Injuries Research Network: a decade of research capacity strengthening in low- and middle-income countries.

Road traffic crashes have been an increasing threat to the wellbeing of road users worldwide; an unacceptably high number of people die or become disabled from them. While high-income countries have successfully implemented effective interventions to help reduce the burden of road traffic injuries (RTIs) in their countries, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have not yet achieved similar results. Both scientific research and capacity development have proven to be useful for preventing RTIs in high-income countries. In 1999, a group of leading researchers from different countries decided to join efforts to help promote research on RTIs and develop the capacity of professionals from LMICs. This translated into the creation of the Road Traffic Injuries Research Network (RTIRN) - a partnership of over 1,100 road safety professionals from 114 countries collaborating to facilitate reductions in the burden of RTIs in LMICs by identifying and promoting effective, evidenced-based interventions and supporting research capacity building in road safety research in LMICs. This article presents the work that RTIRN has done over more than a decade, including production of a dozen scientific papers, support of nearly 100 researchers, training of nearly 1,000 people and 35 scholarships granted to researchers from LMICs to attend world conferences, as well as lessons learnt and future challenges to maximize its work.

[Underestimation of mortality caused by traffic in Mexico: an analysis at the subnational level]. / Subestimación de la mortalidad causada por el tránsito en México: análisis subnacional.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the potential underestimation of mortality from traffic injuries at the subnational level in Mexico for a period of 15 years and to identify social and economic variables at the state level that could potentially be associated with the quality of statistical classification of deaths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Secondary analysis of validated mortality databases for the period 1999-2013 was conducted. Using multiple imputation models, registries that could potentially be attributed to road traffic deaths were estimated and the potential underestimation of mortality due to this external cause was quantified. A simple correlation analysis was carried out. RESULTS: The potential underestimation of deaths from traffic injuries during the period was 18.85% at the national level, with significant variations by state. From the data analyzed, there was no statistical evidence of any association of the percentage of road traffic deaths underestimation with the variables analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Performance in terms of mortality classification is different at the state level in Mexico. This information is useful for targeting interventions to improve the recording of deaths in the country.

Intentional and unintentional poisoning in Pakistan: a pilot study using the Emergency Departments surveillance project.

BACKGROUND: Acute poisoning is one of the most common reasons for emergency department visits around the world. In Pakistan, the epidemiological data on poisoning is limited due to an under developed poison information surveillance system. We aim to describe the characteristics associated with intentional and unintentional poisoning in Pakistan presenting to emergency departments. METHODS: The data was extracted from the Pakistan National Emergency Department Surveillance (Pak-NEDS) which was an active surveillance conducted between November 2010 and March 2011. All patients, regardless of age, who presented with poisoning to any of Pakistan's seven major tertiary care centers' emergency departments, were included. Information about patient demographics, type of poisoning agent, reason for poisoning and outcomes were collected using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: Acute poisoning contributed to 1.2% (n = 233) of patients with intentional and unintentional injuries presenting to EDs of participating centers. Of these, 68% were male, 54% were aged 19 to 44 and 19% were children and adolescents (<18 years). Types of poisoning included chemical/gas (43.8%), drug/medicine (27%), alcohol (16.7%) and food/plant (6%). In half of all patients the poisoning was intentional. A total of 11.6% of the patients were admitted and 6.6% died. CONCLUSION: Poisoning causes more morbidity and mortality in young adults in Pakistan compared to other age groups, half of which is intentional. Improving mental health, regulatory control for hazardous chemicals and better access to care through poison information centers and emergency departments will potentially help control the problem.

Substance use and type of Road Traffic Injury in Mexico City.

Limited data are available in Mexico on the prevalence of alcohol and drug use and the possible differences in their effects on types of road traffic injury (RTI), such as those involving pedestrians, drivers or passengers of motorcycles or other motor vehicles, and the association between substance use and driving behaviors, for preventive purposes. The sample comprised 433 adult RTI patients, admitted to the emergency department (ED) of a public hospital in Mexico City (January to April 2022). Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was measured using a breath tester, and six types of drugs (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, and methamphetamine) were assessed using a saliva screen test. RTI patients also self-reported their alcohol and drug use in the six hours prior to the accident. Approximately 62% of respondents had been involved in a motorcycle crash. One in three patients self-reported or had traces of a substance in their saliva or breath. The most common substance was alcohol (23.6%), followed by cannabis and stimulants (10.9%). One in five patients reported having used a cell phone ten minutes before the injury. One in three had not been using any safety device, the only behavior exacerbated by substance use. We found a high prevalence of substance use in the sample of RTI patients admitted to the ED, regardless of the type of the RTI, together with high cell phone rates. Motorcycle passengers under the influence were particularly likely not to have been wearing a helmet.

Distracted driving: mobile phone use while driving in three Mexican cities.

Mexico has a significant road traffic injury and mortality burden, and several states/municipalities have begun passing legislation restricting mobile phone use while driving (MPUWD). Little information is available about the prevalence of MPUWD in Mexico. This study measures the prevalence of mobile phone talking and texting among drivers in three cities, and identifies associated demographic and environmental factors. Two rounds of roadside observations from a group of randomly selected automobile drivers were conducted during 2011-2012 in Guadalajara-Zapopan, León and Cuernavaca. The overall prevalence of MPUWD was 10.78%; it was highest in Guadalajara-Zapopan (13.93%, 95% CI 12.87 to 15.05), lowest in Cuernavaca (7.42%, 95% CI 6.29 to 8.67), and remained stable over two rounds of observations, except for León, where the prevalence increased from 5.27% to 10.37% (p=0.000). Driving alone on major roads in non-taxi cars during the weekdays was associated with MPUWD. Results highlight the importance of studying the risk of mobile phone use, and designing and evaluating specific preventive interventions to address this problem in Mexico.

[Impact of harmful consumption of alcohol in accident-related mortality and chronic diseases in Mexico]. / Impacto del consumo nocivo de alcohol en accidentes y enfermedades crónicas en México.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze alcohol consumption, and its impact on road traffic-related mortality and chronic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through the analysis of national health surveys, registry of traffic collisions, mortality records and economic surveys, we estimated prevalence, mortality and consumption indicators. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2012, alcohol consumption in adolescents remained stable, with a significant increase among adults. Traffic collision rates related with alcohol were 0.36 and 0.58 among adolescents and adults, respectively; 8.4% of the population who suffered traffic injuries was under alcohol effects when the accident occurred. The trend in mortality from two alcohol-attributable diseases has been constant, with an average of 18 000 deaths per year. CONCLUSION: Alcohol abuse causes serious health damages. Tax raises to alcohol, along with other policies, could reduce harmful alcohol consumption and its associated mortality.

[Indicators to measure the performance of emergency trauma care]. / Principales indicadores para medir el desempeño de la atención de emergencias traumatológicas.

The objective of this paper was to identify the main indicators used to measure the performance in emergency trauma care. A literature review was carried out in the electronic databases: PubMEd, LILACS and Epistemónikos, including publications between January 2011 and December 31, 2021, in Spanish, English and Portuguese. A total of 962 publications were identified. When reviewing the full text, 48 articles were included. The indicators were classified in the dimensions of process and results. 100 different indicators were identified to analyze the performance of emergency trauma care. 71% were process indicators, including service time and triage. In the results dimension 29 indicators were identified; mortality was the indicator most analyzed as well as length of stay. Six indicators on the disability of injured people and 14 indicators related to satisfaction were identified, the most frequent being complaints. Various indicators have been used to assess the performance of emergency trauma care. In the results dimension, the indicators related to satisfaction and disability after injuries have been little explored. Decision-makers and those responsible for emergency care must promote performance evaluation exercises to learn about their current situation using appropriate and sensitive indicators with the available data.

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar los principales indicadores utilizados para medir el desempeño en la atención de emergencias traumatológicas. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura de tipo narrativa en las bases de datos: PubMed, LILACS y Epistemónikos, se incluyeron publicaciones entre enero de 2011 y el 31 diciembre 2021, en español, inglés y portugués. Se identificaron 962 publicaciones. Tras revisar el texto completo, 48 artículos fueron incluidos. Los indicadores se clasificaron en las dimensiones de proceso y resultado. Se identificaron 100 diferentes indicadores para analizar el desempeño de la atención de emergencias traumatológicas. 71% fueron indicadores de proceso, entre ellos el tiempo de atención y el triaje. En la dimensión de resultados se identificaron 29 indicadores; la mortalidad fue el indicador mayormente analizado así como el periodo de estancia hospitalaria. Se identificaron seis indicadores sobre la discapacidad de las personas lesionadas y 14 indicadores relacionados con la satisfacción, el más frecuente fue quejas. Diversos indicadores han sido utilizados para evaluar el desempeño de la atención de emergencias traumatológicas. En la dimensión de resultados, los indicadores relacionados con la satisfacción y discapacidad han sido poco explorados. Los responsables de la atención de emergencias traumatológicas deben impulsar ejercicios de evaluación del desempeño para conocer su situación actual a través de indicadores sensibles y acordes con los datos disponibles.

Road safety legislation in the Americas.

Legislating five of the main risk factors for road traffic injuries (RTIs), as much as enforcing the law, is essential in forging an integral culture of road safety. Analysis of the level of progression in law enforcement allows for an evaluation of the state of world regions. A secondary analysis of the 2009 Global status report on road safety: time for action survey was undertaken to evaluate legislation on five risk factors (speed management, drinking and driving, motorcycle helmet use, seatbelt use, and use of child restraints) in the Americas. Laws were classified depending on their level of progression: the existence of legislation, whether the legislation is adequate, a level of law enforcement > 6 (on a scale of 0-10), and whether the law is considered comprehensive. A descriptive analysis was performed. The totality of the countries has national or subnational legislation for at least one of the five risk factors. However, 63% have laws on the five risk factors studied, and none of them has comprehensive laws for all five. Seatbelt use appears to be the most extended enforced legislation, while speeding laws appear to be the least enforced. There are positive efforts that should be recognized in the region. However, the region stands in different stages of progression. Law enforcement remains the main issue to be tackled. Laws should be based on evidence about what is already known to be effective.

Economic impact of fatal and non-fatal road traffic injuries in Guadalajara Metropolitan Area and Jalisco, Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the economic cost of fatal and non-fatal road traffic injuries (RTI) in Guadalajara metropolitan area (GMA) and Jalisco, Mexico during 2007. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using an incidence-based cost of illness analysis from a household perspective employing a bottom-up approach all direct medical and non-medical costs, and indirect costs were estimated for a sample of RTI people who sought care during 1 month in four different medical facilities. Individuals were surveyed just before discharge from emergency rooms (ER) and hospitalisation services. Hospitalised individuals were followed up at 8 weeks after discharge. Productivity loss was estimated with the human capital approach. Using estimated costs and administrative records of mortality and morbidity, the economic costs were dimensioned for GMA and for Jalisco. A multivariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate variations resulting from assumptions used. RESULTS: 297 injured were included in the study, 20% were hospitalised and 237 only received care at ER. A total cost of US$21190 was estimated in all injured receiving care at ER and $83309 for those hospitalised. Direct cost represents more than 30% of reported income in 8% of the ER users and 80% of hospitalised. Total economic cost was US$329,061,813 for GMA (discount rate of 3%), nearly 51% of the state total (US$650,908,924 or 1.3% of State GNP). CONCLUSIONS: This estimation shows the high cost (both, direct and indirect) RTI impose in households affecting their economy and leading families to lose wealth assets, get in debt or impoverished.

Impact of Mexican Road Safety Strategies implemented in the context of the UN's Decade of Action.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate advancements in the prevention of road traffic injuries (RTI) in Mexico in the context of the United Nation's Decade of Action for Road Safety. METHODS: An analysis of the trend and age-period-cohort effects of RTI mortality from 1999 to 2018 was conducted. Mortality figures were age-standardized using the direct method and population estimates of 2018 as the standard. To evaluate whether advancements might be attributed to higher levels of death misclassification, we conducted sensitive analysis using multiple imputation to redistributed deaths allocated to non-specific ICD-10 codes. Non-fatal RTI from four nationally representative health surveys (2000, 2006, 2012 and 2018) were analyzed. FINDINGS: Implementation of Mexico's National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 was associated with an average annual percentage change reduction in the age-standardized RTI mortality rate of 1.3% (95%-CI: -1.8,-0.9). Reductions are more evident in pedestrians and four + wheelers (-6.7% and -5.3%, respectively, from 2011 to 2018); mortality trend in motorcyclists increased from 1999 to 2018 an average of 12.8% annually (95%-CI: 9.9, 15.9). Potential underestimation of mortality due to death misclassification decreased from 22.7% in 1999 to 16.4% in 2018; sensitive analysis showed that reductions might not be attributed to death misclassification. Non-fatal injuries decreased in four + wheelers but increased in motorcyclists. The number of individuals suffering permanent consequences from RTI increased. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed some potential gains of Mexico's road safety strategies: RTI in four + wheelers decreased. Efforts should be put in place urgently to prevent the growing number of RTI in motorcyclists.

Speeding in the city of Xalapa, Mexico: Prevalence and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of speeding in the city of Xalapa, Veracruz, in Mexico and to identify factors potentially associated to this risk behavior. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on December 2019 in Xalapa, Veracruz. Speed measurement was conducted in a random sample of 10% of all the main roads in the urban area (n = 12). Observations were conducted over the course of one week at different times spending no more than 1.5 h in each site at a time. All vehicles circulating in each observation site during the data collection were included in the sample. Characteristics of drivers, vehicles and the environment were also collected and analyzed, using logistic regression analysis and a multiple ordinal regression model to identify factors associated to speeding and more serious violations of speed limits. RESULTS: Average speed of the 3,390 vehicles observed was 50.97 km/h. Prevalence of speeding was 65.66% (95%-CI: 64.04-67.26%); 26.96% (95%-CI: 25.47-28.49) exceeded the speed limit by 50%. Speeding and more serious violations of speed limits were more frequent in light vehicles, residential zones and during weekends. More serious violations of speed limits were also more frequent on smaller roads, where speed limit were lower and during morning hours. CONCLUSIONS: The great majority of vehicles transgress speed limits in Xalapa, Veracruz. Our results support the urgent need to implement speed control measures in the city. Changes in road infrastructure design, as well as promoting a comprehensive speeding legislation (with adequate speed limits and correctly enforced) aimed at reducing exposure to this key risk factor are recommended. As evaluation of road safety interventions is key, our data could be used as a baseline to evaluate the effects and impact of future interventions implemented in this Mexican city.

Economic impact of fatal and nonfatal road traffic injuries in Belize in 2007.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the economic cost of road traffic injuries in Belize in 2007. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary cost data, assuming the health system and social perspectives. Epidemiologic information was obtained from the mortality database, the national hospital discharge database, and administrative records from police and the Ministry of Health. A health provider survey was carried out in order to estimate the postdischarge ambulatory utilization figures. Direct cost was estimated with the World Health Organization WHO-CHOICE (CHOosing Interventions that are Cost Effective) database. Prehospital costs were obtained from the Belize emergency response team. After estimating years of potential life lost using the Belize life expectancy for 2008 and methodology proposed by the Pan American Health Organization, the indirect cost associated with premature death was estimated with the human capital approach. Total estimation of road traffic injuries' economic costs used a decision tree model approach. Multiway sensitivity analysis was used to incorporate uncertainty in the estimations. RESULTS: Sixty-one people died due to road traffic injuries during 2007, 338 were hospitalized, and 565 people were estimated to be slightly injured. A total of 2,501 years of potential life were lost in Belize due to premature death, with a total economic cost of US$11,062,544. This figure represents 0.9% of the Belize gross domestic product. Direct cost was estimated at US$163,503, of which 2.4% was spent on fatalities, 46.7% on the severely injured, and 50.9% on the slightly injured. CONCLUSIONS: The economic cost estimations make clear the need to prevent road traffic injuries with a strategic and multisectoral approach that focuses on addressing the main problems identified.

[Unintentional asphyxia in Mexico: a hidden public health problem]. / Las asfixias accidentales en México: un problema de salud pública oculto.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the epidemiology of unintentional asphyxias in Mexico from 1999 to 2017. METHOD: Secondary analysis of vital registries, three national health surveys and information from the safety inspection program of the Ministry of Health in Mexico were used to characterize fatal and non-fatal drownings (ICD-10: W65-W74) and other asphyxias including suffocation, chocking and strangulation (ICD-10: W75-W84), and to estimate the level of exposure to different risk factors within households and daycares. RESULTS: 100,834 deaths were registered, 44.66% were drowning and 77.17% male. Drownings mainly affect children and adolescents, occur in April, July and August, on Sundays, during the afternoon. Other asphyxias affect children and the elderly more frequently, occur mainly from December to February, on Sundays and from 4 to 6h. According to ENSANut-2012, 53,065 individuals experience a non-fatal asphyxia per year, 26.21% of them with permanent consequences in their health and wellbeing. Important risks of unintentional asphyxias are present in 38% of daycares and 80% of households analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Unintentional asphyxias are a major public health problem that needs to be urgently attended to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular the 3.2. Evidence presented in this work constitutes an input to inform and orient efforts directed to tackle this problem.