Abstract

ARREOLA-RISSA, Carlos; SANTOS-GUZMAN, Jesús; ESQUIVEL-GUZMAN, Adol  and  MOCK, Charles N. Traffic related deaths in Nuevo Leon, Mexico: causes and associated factors. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2008, vol.50, suppl.1, pp.s48-s54. ISSN 0036-3634.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of alcohol on mortality due to motor vehicle accidents was studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the first semester of 2003, a sample of 243 fatality victims of traffic-related accidents and their blood alcohol levels were analyzed in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The age-adjusted mortality rate for traffic accidents was 8.9/100000 pop. (13.2 for males and 3.21 for females, per 100000). Fatal accidents were more common in the Metropolitan Area (MA). RESULTS: Fatalities were four times greater in males and the mean age was 34.7±18.2 years. Blood alcohol was detected in almost half of the victims who were drivers of the vehicles; the other cases of fatalities may be associated with road/car condition, weather and other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol intoxication levels were primarily associated with male drivers ages 16 to 45 (p=0.029); levels increased with age. In females, alcohol played a lesser role, affecting mostly ages 31 to 45 y (p=0.055).

Keywords : alcohol drinking; accidents traffic; mortality; Mexico.

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