Dados médico-legais sobre afogamentos na Região de Ribeirão Preto (SP, Brasil): Um passo para a prevenção

Translated title of the contribution: Medico-legal data on drowning in Ribeirão Preto Region (SP, Brazil): A step for prevention

Rodrigo T. Araújo, Carmen C.S. Martin, Bruno S. De Martinis, Martin P. Evison, Marco A. Guimarães

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This is a prevalence study with the first specific description of drowning cases in a non-coastal area of Brazil, in the locality of Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo - a region with standards of living comparable to those in developed countries - regarding the establishment of preventative measures for this specific kind of injury. Methodology: An analysis of the forensic documentation of 89 drowning cases occurred between 2001 and 2004. The pattern of drowning fatalities was studied in relation to parameters like age, sex, socio-economic background and evaluation of alcohol consumption. Results: rate of 2.69 cases per 100,000 habitants per year was observed. The predominant profile among drowning victims was that of the Caucasian male of economically productive age (15 to 59 years), accidentally drowned in rivers and dams in rural areas during the summer and autumn, being impossible the evaluation of alcohol consumption. Conclusion and Relevance: the observation of the victim profile through the analysis of forensic reports allowed the development of a successful pilot program of drowning prevention that can be expanded to other non-coastal areas in Brazil, regarding the reduction of the number of victims by prevention. The difficulties in alcohol consumption analysis are discussed.

Translated title of the contributionMedico-legal data on drowning in Ribeirão Preto Region (SP, Brazil): A step for prevention
Original languagePortuguese
Pages (from-to)50-57
Number of pages8
JournalMedicina
Volume41
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Brazil
  • Drowning
  • Epidemiology
  • Forensic medicine
  • Wounds and injuries

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