Medico-Legal Data on Drowning in Riberão Preto Region (SP, Brazil): A Step For Prevention

de Arujo, Rodrigo, Martin, Carmen, de Martinis, Bruno, Evison, Martin and Guimarães, Marco Aurélio (2008) Medico-Legal Data on Drowning in Riberão Preto Region (SP, Brazil): A Step For Prevention. Medicina, 41 (1). pp. 50-57. ISSN 0076-6046

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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 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

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	forensic medicine, epidemiology, wounds and injuries, drowning, Brazil
Subjects:	F100 Chemistry F400 Forensic and Archaeological Science
Department:	Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Applied Sciences
Depositing User:	Ay Okpokam
Date Deposited:	19 Jan 2012 13:46
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2019 17:31
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/4585

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