Ecological analysis of accidents and lethal violence in Vitória, Southeastern Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the socioeconomic background and its relationship with spatial distribution of mortality due to violence.


METHODS
Ecological study conducted to explore the space distribution of mortality due to violence in the city of Vitória, Southeastern Brazil, between 2000 and 2003, based on population and socioeconomic information. Mortality data were correlated with information on victim's place of residence, type of violence, gender, and skin color. Data were analyzed using space average, odds ratio, and cluster analysis.


RESULTS
There were reported 828 deaths due to violence during the study period, accounting for 17% of all deaths in the city. Of these, 72% were homicides, 21.8% traffic accidents, and 6% suicides. Violence victims were mostly young black males, living in poorer areas of the city. In contrast, as for suicide and traffic accidents, the victims were older white females living in the wealthiest area of the city.


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed that violence is a phenomenon occurring in all socioeconomic levels but black people at the lowest level are more likely to die from homicides while white well-off people are more likely to die from suicide and traffic accidents.
Bastos
Márcia de Jesus Rocha Pereira
Mde J
Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Prefeitura Municipal de Vitória, Vitória, ES, Brasil.
Pereira
Jacira dos Anjos
Jdos A
Smarzaro
Dorian Chim
DC
Costa
Everaldo Francisco
EF
Bossanel
Regina Célia Lobo
RC
Oliosa
Durvalina Maria Sesari
DM
Pereira
Joseanny Gomes Poltronieri
JG
Feitosa
Hideko Nagatani
HN
Costa
Marcilene Favarato da
MF
Oliveira
Fabiano José Pereira de
FJ
Fávero
Juliana Lopes
JL
Maciel
Ethel Leonor Noia
EL
D000059:Accidents / Q000401:mortality*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014754:Violence / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult