Epidemiological profile of road traffic accidents in Peru, 2005-2009

Abstract

Objective. To determine the characteristics and epidemiological profile of road traffic injuries (RTI) in Peru during the period 2005-2009. Materials and methods. Descriptive, retrospective study, secondary sources of information on RTI from the National Police of Peru and the National Sanitary Strategy for the Control of Traffic Accidents (ESNAT) of the Ministry of Health were analyzed. Results. During the 5 years of study, there were 404120 TA, of which 63.8% occurred in Lima. Cars and vans are the types of vehicle most frequently involved in these accidents. Speed excess and driver`s senselessness are the main causes of accidents. The most common type of accident is the crash (57%). Males from 20 to 34 years old are the most vulnerable population. Conclusions. The RTI are an emerging public health problem in Peru. The trend of the mortality and morbidity rates due to traffic accidents in Peru has followed an increasing curve between the years 2005 and 2008; however these numbers during 2009 have been decreasing but not really significantly. Information systems must be integrated in order to give reliable information to the national institutions involved in these problematic, so that it can be used as a reference for future political decisions.