Traffic accident and homicide mortality in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, 1996-2011

Objective: to describe trends in mortality due to homicides and traffic accidents among people living in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, from 1996 to 2011. Methods: this is an ecological time-series study using National Mortality Information System data; trend analysis was performed by polynomial regression models according to sex. Results: the mortality coefficient due to traffic accidents among males declined from 61.7 in 1996 to 28.4 in 2011 (-46%), whilst among females it decreased from 16.5 to 7.3 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants (-44.2%); in turn, the mortality coefficient for homicides among males rose from 32.5 to 69.3 (+113.2%), whilst among females it rose from 4.4 to 5.3 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants (+20.4%). Conclusion: mortality due to homicides increased; prevention strategies to tackle violence should be aimed at the specificities of external causes and greater male exposure to these injuries.