Temporal analysis of mortality from traffic accidents in a municipality in southern Brazil^a

Abstract

Objective  to identify the profile and temporal trend of mortality from traffic accidents in Maringá from 2000 to 2020.

Method  ecological time series study on mortality from traffic accidents in the municipality of Maringá. The data referred to all deaths from traffic accidents between 2000 and 2020, and the corresponding annual mortality rates were obtained.

Results  a predominance of deaths was observed among motorcyclists, males, whites, singles, those aged 20 to 29 years, and those with 8 to 12 years of schooling. The temporal trend was stable in both sexes and most age groups, except for the 30-39 age group.

Conclusions and implications for practice  the findings reaffirm traffic accidents as a significant public health problem in the municipality, with a social impact and an overload on urgent and emergency services. There is a clear need for targeted and effective public policies, as well as prevention strategies that prioritize the most vulnerable groups, with the aim of reducing the occurrence and health impacts of these events. The findings support educational and preventive nursing actions, as well as strengthening public policies to reduce traffic accidents and their impact on health.

Keywords:
Accidents, Traffic; Health Education; Mortality; Health Policy; Health Services