[Morbidity and mortality due to external causes among the elderly in the South of Brazil].
We analyzed morbidity and mortality rates due to external causes among elderly persons in a city in the South of Brazil. Data about deaths, from 1979 to 1998, and about hospital admissions, from 1995 to 1998, were obtained from the Mortality Information System and the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Population data were based on the national demographic census. Mortality rates due to external causes decreased 16.2%, but levels increased in advanced ages, especially for women. Falls, pedestrian accidents and other road accidents were the most important external causes of death in this population. In the last three years of this study, mortality rates were higher for pedestrian accidents among men and for falls among women (64.8 and 58.3 per 100.000 inhabitants, respectively). Hospital admissions due to injuries and intoxications decreased in the period. Among the 146 admissions in 1998, 45.9% were due to falls. The community has to recognize that elderly persons are exposed to accidents and that preventive measures are needed.
Universidade Estadual de Maringá. tafmathias@uem.br
Thais Aidar de Freitas
TA
Mathias
Maria Helena Prado de Mello
MH
Jorge
Oséias Guimarães de
OG
Andrade
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000592:standards; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality*