title: [Motorcycle couriers: characteristics of traffic accidents in southern Brazil].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at understanding characteristics of traffic accidents with motorcycle couriers in the cities of Londrina and Maringá, in the State of Paraná (Brazil).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 327 couriers who reported, in 2005/2006, motorcycle accident in the previous 12 months took part in the study (147 in Londrina and 180 in Maringá).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all the interviewed, 39.6% reported more than one traffic accident. The accidents were perceived as serious by 21.4% of them and 56.3% reported knowing a convalescing courier due to a traffic accident. Most injuries (82.9%) occurred during work hours. Significant differences were observed between the cities concerning climatic conditions (p=0.013), time of the day (p=0.002), pre-hospital care (p=0.032) and hospital admission (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high incidence and the recurrence of traffic accidents highlight the susceptibility of motorcycle couriers to these events and the need for strategies and specific prevention policies.
authors: Departamento de Enfermagem, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brasil. doroteiasoares@uol.com.br
authors: Dorotéia Fátima Pelissari de Paula
authors: DF
authors: Soares
authors: Thais Aidar de Freitas
authors: TA
authors: Mathias
authors: Daniela Wosiack
authors: DW
authors: da Silva
authors: Selma Maffei
authors: SM
authors: de Andrade
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009049:Motorcycles; D055815:Young Adult