title: Traffic accidents in Belo Horizonte: the view from three different sources, 2008 to 2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the contribution of three data sources in the description of traffic accidents in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exploratory study of databases: BHTRANS (metropolitan traffic and transportation authority), Hospital Admissions and Mortality Information Systems, with estimation of proportions, coefficients and odds ratios.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incomplete data was observed in the three sources, especially regarding alcohol consumption by drivers and use of safety equipment. The victim profile among the sources was consistent: young adults, males, motorcycle riders and pedestrians. In addition to the high mortality rate (19.4 per 100.000 inhabitants), an increase in the number of non-fatal accidents was observed. An increase of 34% in hospital admissions and of 53% in hospital costs was evidenced. The motorcycle accident rate is higher than expected given the fleet composition. Male drivers have the highest risk of injury or death; relative to drivers, passengers or pedestrians have a 1,8 times higher risk of death. There was a 12% increase in the number of deaths at the site of the accident, 55% of which showed positive evidence of alcohol use and 50% higher risk of fatal accidents on weekends.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite some incomplete record keeping and non-specific death registry codes, it was possible to characterize the main factors associated with accidents: elderly pedestrians, motorcycle riders, alcohol consumption and speeding. The study demonstrated the complementarity of the three data sources, with their different goals, and revealed important features of the traffic accident event-chain and victim profile, providing key data for the development of mitigation strategies.
authors: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors: Lúcia Maria Miana Mattos
authors: LM
authors: Paixão
authors: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors: Eliane Dias
authors: ED
authors: Gontijo
authors: Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors: Eliane de Freitas
authors: Ede F
authors: Drumond
authors: Observatório de Saúde Urbana, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors: Amélia Augusta de Lima
authors: AA
authors: Friche
authors: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors: Waleska Teixeira
authors: WT
authors: Caiaffa
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors