Characterization of women victims of violent death in a metropolitan area of Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the frequency, body topographic local and the instruments used in women with violent death in the city of Recife and the metropolitan area and in the years from 2000 to 2009. Methods: Data collection was performed at the Institute of Forensic Medicine Persivo Antonio Cunha-PE from March to October 2010. Through a study, of chronological approach, necropsy reports in women residing in the Metropolitan Region of Recife-PE in the years 2000 to 2009 were selected. We analyzed the frequency of deaths, the type of instruments used and the topographic location of the lesion. Statistical analysis used the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, at the significance level of 5%. Results: The frequency distribution showed that the homicide was the 1st reason and represented 36.2% of the total mortality. The accident was the second most common cause with 30.2% followed by the suicides with 5.7%. Regarding the body topographic location, polytrauma presented 29.1% of the occurrences followed by the craniofacial complex with 26.3%. Within the complex craniofacial, the head was the most affected with 27.4%. The face corresponded to 4.2% of the cases. The type of instrument of more incidence was the blunt with 36%, followed by blunt-stabbing with 27%. Conclusion: The homicides demonstrate the magnitude of external causes as cause of premature death among women. The head and neck region is closely linked to the cases of violence against women.