ETIOLOGY AND EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA IN MARANHÃO IN THE LAST DECENNIUM

Abstract

Introduction: The precariousness of child health and the occurrence of trauma in children still represent an enormous challenge for public health in Maranhão. In recent research, external causes were the second biggest cause of mortality in the state. Therefore, it is extremely important to study the incidence of trauma in children to outline the scenario and provide an intervention basis. Objective: To investigate the epidemiological and etiological pattern of the main types of trauma that affect children in the state of Maranhão. Methodology: This is an ecological and analytical, longitudinal, and quantitative descriptive study. Data collection was carried out through an analysis of secondary information, recorded from 2013 to 2022, in the Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). For inferential analysis, the linear regression test (p<0.05) was applied with the help of the JAMOVI software. Results: It was observed that the incidence of childhood trauma is more recurrent in those aged 5 to 9 years. The main cause for the occurrence of traumatic events is the group of "other accidental external causes" (n=11,971; 60.61%), followed by transport accidents (n=4,330; 21.92%). Regarding the type of injury caused, it was observed that fractures of other limb bones present a greater number of occurrences (n=20,424; 65.12%). Finally, a higher prevalence of males is noticeable in relation to the incidence of trauma caused by registered injuries (n=20,783; 66.26%; p<0.001). Conclusion: It is therefore evident that age group (p<0.001) and etiology (p<0.001), independently, play significant roles in the general panorama of the incidence of trauma in children. Furthermore, in an approach related to the type of injury, a significant relationship was found with the three variables analyzed (gender, age group and type of injury - p<0.001), in addition to a multifactorial association regarding age group and type of injury (p<0.001).