Homicide as a public health problem in the city of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

This is a case study of homicides carried out within the Second Section of the Justice Court, in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. It has been observed that: most homicides are carried out by males (95,7%), Afro-Brazilians (62,9%), between 15 and 25 years (45,7%), illiterate or with incomplete schooling (74,3%), and unemployed (18,6%). It was also observed that the victims' profiles are very similar. Most homicides take place on public streets (41,4%), in the city suburbs, between 20 and 24 o'clock, (51,4%). In 50,0% of the cases, the victim did not receive help from any public health service. In the cases where any family member helped (37,41 %), the victims were taken to the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital. Firearms were the prevailing weapons (70,0%) and motives for all crimes were futile, or banal; in most cases (57,0%), alcohol was involved.