Alcohol consumption in homicide victims in the city of São Paulo.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between alcohol use and victimization by homicide in individuals autopsied at the Institute of Legal Medicine in São Paulo, Brazil.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Excessive consumption of alcohol is a serious public health issue and a major factor in triggering violent situations, which suggests a strong association between alcohol ingestion and becoming a victim of homicide.


METHODS
Data from 2042 victims of homicides in 2005 were obtained from medical examiner reports.


METHODS
The victim's gender, age, ethnicity and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) were collected. The method of death and homicide circumstances, as well as the date, time and place of death were also studied.


RESULTS
Alcohol was detected in blood samples of 43% of the victims, and mean BAC levels were 1.55 +/- 0.86 g/l. The prevalence of positive BAC levels was higher among men (44.1%) than women (26.6%), P < 0.01. Firearms caused most of the deaths (78.6%), and alcohol consumption was greater among victims of homicide by sharp weapons (P < 0.01). A greater proportion of victims with positive BAC were killed at weekends compared to weekdays (56.4 and 38.5%, respectively; P < 0.01), and the correlation between homicide rates and the average BAC for the central area of the city was positive (r(s) = 0.90; P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results highlight alcohol as a contributing factor for homicide victimization in the greatest urban center in South America, supporting public strategies and future research aiming to prevent homicides and violence related to alcohol consumption.
University of São Paulo Medical School, Department of Preventive Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. gabriel.biousp@gmail.com
Gabriel
G
Andreuccetti
Heráclito Barbosa
HB
de Carvalho
Júlio
J
de Carvalho Ponce
Débora Gonçalves
DG
de Carvalho
Túlio
T
Kahn
Daniel Romero
DR
Muñoz
Vilma
V
Leyton
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001344:Autopsy; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D019548:Crime Victims; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
D000431:Ethanol