Comparative epidemiological study of firearms related mortality in Brazil and Argentina, 1990-2005

https://doi.org/10.18294/sc.2008.350

Published 5 December 2008 Open Access


Marina Gabriela Zunino Bióloga, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Magister en Epidemiología, Gestión y Políticas de Salud, Universidad Nacional de Lanús, Argentina. Doctoranda, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brasil. , Edinilsa Ramos de Souza Psicóloga, Universidad Federal de Pernambuco. Doctora en Ciencias de la Salud, Fundación Oswaldo Cruz. Investigadora del Centro Latinoamericano de Estudios de Violencia y Salud Jorge Careli, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brasil. , Bruno Lauritzen Estudiante de Estadística. Becario del Programa Institucional de Becas de Iniciación Científica, Fundación Oswaldo Cruz, Brasil.



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Keywords:

Firearms, Mortality, Violence, Social Inequity, Temporal Distribution

Abstract


In order to analyze mortality through fire weapons in Brazil and Argentina between 1990 and 2005, a descriptive epidemiological study was carried out using mortality official data in both countries. Number, proportions and crude and adjusted rates were analyzed for each kind of death (rated according to CIE-9a y CIE-10a), together with total per year and yearly average of the period, sex and age. The global profile of both countries presented a growing tendency, but Brazil showed greater values of deaths and homicides through fire weapons in the whole period. From the results, a hypothesis is discussed: Brazil's profile, especially the one of homicides through fire weapons, is a consequence, not only of the social violence which answers to the high inequality and exclusion suffered by a great part of the population, but also to the emergence, expansion and strengthening of several armed groups in that country. The Argentine profile would be in part, the result of the increase in social violence and also an answer to the present socioeconomic decrease. It would also be a consequence of the historical monopolization of the violence from the part of the State.