Characterization of victims injured by firearms assisted by the Mobile Emergency Care Service in Campo Grande-MS

Abstract

Violence has grown in an overwhelming way in Brazil, raising the indicators of morbidity and mortality by external causes. Many times, the use of firearms makes fatal victims or victims who may remain disabled. This fact has increased the State's onus regarding hospital costs and also the number of life years that the young population loses, as it forms the majority of the victims. The present study aimed to survey the victims of injuries caused by firearms, assisted by the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU - Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência) in the municipality of Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), in the period from April 2005 to April 2007 - the first two years of operation since the implementation of the service in the capital of the state. A descriptive, retrospective and longitudinal study was carried out, based on a documental analysis of the information system of the SAMU of Campo Grande. In the study, 233 events were described. The results showed 213 male victims aged between 20 and 24 years. The head and neck were the most injured parts of the body and the South region of the city was the one that concentrated most events. It follows that violence caused by firearms in Campo Grande, MS, affects the economically active population and comes from regions characterized by poverty and social inequality. This justifies the implementation of a free service like SAMU, which has had an important impact on the community's health.