Citation

Arreola-Rissa C, Santos-Guzmán J, Esquivel-Guzmán A, Mock CN. Salud Publica Mex. 2008; 50(Suppl 1): S48-54.

Affiliation

Escuela de Medicina, Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. car@itesm.mx

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

18373008

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The effects of alcohol on mortality due to motor vehicle accidents was studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the first semester of 2003, a sample of 243 fatality victims of traffic-related accidents and their blood alcohol levels were analyzed in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The age-adjusted mortality rate for traffic accidents was 8.9/100000 pop. (13.2 for males and 3.21 for females, per 100000). Fatal accidents were more common in the Metropolitan Area (MA). RESULTS: Fatalities were four times greater in males and the mean age was 34.7+/-18.2 years. Blood alcohol was detected in almost half of the victims who were drivers of the vehicles; the other cases of fatalities may be associated with road/car condition, weather and other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol intoxication levels were primarily associated with male drivers ages 16 to 45 (p=0.029); levels increased with age. In females, alcohol played a lesser role, affecting mostly ages 31 to 45 y (p=0.055).

Language: en