Traumatismos maxilofaciais decorrentes de violência urbana em Belo Horizonte-MG: uma análise do potencial de vitimização segundo local de residência das vítimas

Abstract

Urban violence is an important public health issue in Brazil. Each day produces a large number of victims, leaving physical and emotional sequels interfering in the life and the imaginary of the population. The maxillofacial injury is a type of trauma that occurred in the face and head. The number of maxillofacial injuries may be associated with the exposure of this region of the body in cases violence to disfigure the face of the victims of aggression. This study analyzed the spatial pattern of cases of maxillofacial injury due to interpersonal violence and firearms from the place of residence of the victims and investigated the potential for victimization. This is a cross-sectional study with data from victims served at three emergency hospitals in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, between January 2008 and December 2010. A spatial union procedure was used to count the number of cases per neighborhood. To analyze the potential of victimization, a multicriteria analysis was used by combining sociodemographic variables of the victims' place of residence. The analysis of cases of the interpersonal violence revealed the formation of 9 hotspots in the city. In cases of aggression with firearm, use occurred the formation 4 hotspots. The neighborhoods with the highest potential for victimization presented a spatially well-defined pattern, revealing the existence of polarization for areas with socioeconomic disadvantage. The elucidation of living conditions in segregated urban areas and the identification of the most vulnerable populations should be priority references for the development of public health and security policies.