MORTALITY FROM EXTERNAL CAUSES AMONG TEENAGERS IN FEIRA DE SANTANA – BAHIA: A TIME SERIES STUDY

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.813282202123

• Palavras-chave: Mortality; Adolescence; External cause; Public policies.

• Keywords: Mortality; Adolescence; External cause; Public policies.

• Abstract:

   Introduction In the first year of life, natural deaths represent almost all deaths, however, in this group of causes of death, the frequency falls progressively until the age of 14, when deaths from external causes exceed natural causes. Objective: To describe the mortality profile of adolescents aged 10-19 years in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil, from 2010 to 2020. Methods: Descriptive time-series study that analyzed data from the Mortality Information System (SIM), from 2010 to 2020, regarding deaths in the population aged 10 to 19 years, residents of Feira de Santana, Bahia. Causes of death were identified and mortality rates and respective incidence curves of deaths by age group and cause of death were calculated. Results: Homicide was the predominant cause of death among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, males, brown and black, with low education. The coefficient of death by homicide was 151.4/100,000 in 2010 and reached 125.9/100,000 in 2020, with a peak of 151.4/100,000 in 2010 in the 15-19 year old age group. Conclusion: It was observed that in the 10 to 14 and 15 to 19 age groups the most frequent causes of death were homicides and events of undetermined intention. Thus, most deaths in these age groups can be avoided with the adoption of preventive measures and health education through public policies aimed at the age group studied and the greater commitment of authorities in the health and public safety sectors.