Causes of violent death in the municipal region of S. Paulo, Brazil: II - accidental deaths

Abstract

The subject of this study is the causes of violent deaths in the city of S. Paulo, during the years 1960, 1965, 1970, and 1975. This presentation is limited to deaths resulting from accidents, including those due to traffic as well as those at home and at work. The aim was to classify mortality of this kind in terms of real causes and to relate these to variables considered important from the epidemiological point of view, as well as with regard to the time and place the accidents occurred. The results which were arrived at demonstrated the growing importance of motor vehicle accidents which, in absolute numbers, increased by 455% during the period in review. The death rate for 1975 placed S. Paulo well up on the list of those cities which presented the highest death-risk due to this cause. The following conclusions were also drawn: the death rate was higher among men and 80% of the deaths occurred among pedestrians. In the group classified under "other accidents", the types of accidents presented varied in statistical importance in relation to the age group considered. Among younger children, falls from cots and windows and into wells were the most common cause of death. In the groups aged 5 to 14 the largest single cause was drowying, and, among adults, on the job accidents (specially in construction work) envolving falls were the major factor. The data show that the death rate for this group of causes presented a tendency to decline.