Injuries from traffic accidents in a health institution in the municipality of Pereira from 2014 to 2017

Abstract

Introduction: Traffic accidents have become an important public health problem due to their high morbimortality. The trend in injury and death from road traffic accidents is at alarming levels in countries like Colombia. Objective: To characterize epidemiologically the injuries by traffic accidents reported in people who were served in a health institution in the municipality of Pereira from 2014 to 2017. Materials and methods: A descriptive and transversal study was made based on secondary sources according to sociodemographic, epidemiological and clinical characteristics of traffic accidents attended by a health entity in the municipality of Pereira from 2014 to 2017. Results: 460 cases were analyzed in the studied period, 64.1% in males. The motorcyclist represented 44.3% of the victims. 64.3% suffered bruises, followed by 20.9% of fractures. 53% of the lesions were presented in upper and lower limbs. Conclusions: There was a significant increase in injuries caused by traffic accidents caused by motorcyclists and pedestrians, associated with the driver's incompetence and the distraction of the pedestrian, which triggered in contusions, fractures and increased burden of disease.