Victims of motorcycle accidents assisted in a public teaching hospital

Abstract

External causes are defined as trauma, injuries or any other health damages of an intentional or unintentional nature. The objective of this study was to characterize the sociodemographic profile of victims of trauma caused by motorcycle accident and to identify the frequency of these events. It was a retrospective, quantitative and descriptive-exploratory study developed at the Clinical Hospital of a public university in Minas Gerais. The sample consisted of 64 motorcycle accident records. These patients were older than 14 years, remained hospitalized until discharge, transference or death. We used an adapted instrument covering sociodemographic variables and aspects related to the traumatic event. It was evidenced that the majority of the patients came from Uberaba, had complete primary education, was of the male gender, in the age group of 20 to 29 years, and had white skin color. The main medical diagnosis was tibial shaft fracture. The majority of the anatomical lesions affected the lower limbs, and the average hospital stay was 7.0 days. The night shift and Sundays prevailed with respect to frequency of occurrence of accidents. The months of March and July had a higher frequency of hospitalizations. According to the Rankin Scale, the victims were discharged with moderate disability. We conclude that motorcycle accidents are frequent in our country, characterizing a public health problem, with risk of death or incapacitating sequels. Studies such as this can provide subsidies for the creation of public policies, to implement health prevention and promotion measures.