Motorcycle Traffic Collisions in the city of Bahía Blanca, 2009-2010

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Due to their consequences, traffic collisions are a public health problem. OBJECTIVES: To describe socio-demographic and health characteristics of people involved in motorcycle collisions. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study was conducted, using data from medical records of patients admitted to the hospital for this reason in 2009 and 2010. RESULTS: Motorcycle collisions represented 40% of the total. 18% (n=369) of the people sent to the hospital were admitted there. They were mainly men, with an average age of 26.77 years. 36% of the people had social coverage. The most common and severe reason for hospitalization was head trauma (46%), with and without loss of consciousness. Patients with alteration of consciousness had longer hospitalization (p=0.001). The place of residence of the affected people was an urban agglomeration, with socio-economic and public transport difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the consequences for an active socio-economic sector, traffic collisions should be considered as a priority in the political agenda. Helmet use should be strongly encouraged. Since people admitted to the hospitals are socially and economically more vulnerable, public interventions turn to be more important. It is essential to produce statistics in order to evaluate public policies and compare them with those of similar locations.