Abstract

MASCARENHAS, Márcio Dênis Medeiros et al. Epidemiological profile of violence patients of emergency help Services in the Injury Surveillance System Network in Sentinel Services (Viva) - Brazil, 2006. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2009, vol.18, n.1, pp.17-28. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742009000100003.

Violence is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world. In 2006, the Brazilian Ministry of Health established an injury surveillance system network in sentinel services (VIVA) to describe data on injuries victims treated at emergency departments, including minor injuries which do not imply deaths and hospitalization. This paper aims to describe the characteristics of violence-related cases reported by public emergency departments in Brazil, in 2006. A total of 4,854 violence-related cases were registered, as well assaults (87.0%), suicide attempts (8.7%), and maltreatment (4.3%). The victim's profile consists mainly by persons of male gender, youths (20-29 years old), blacks and referring low educational level. These results show the profile of violence, and may guide public policy planning for prevention and health promotion.

Keywords : violence; external causes; surveillance; epidemiology.

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