GROUND TRANSPORTATION ACCIDENTS AND ALCOHOL ABUSE IN VICTIMS ATTENDED AT A TEACHING HOSPITAL LOCATED IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO

Introduction: The increase of care to victims of road accidents (ATT) is currently deemed as a public health problem due to high mortality, morbidity, and hospital costs. Objective: To describe the traffic accidents occurred due to alcohol abuse, whose victims were treated at a Teaching Hospital, located in the southern region of the city of São Paulo. Method: This was an individualized and descriptive observational study involving cases of traffic accidents due to alcohol abuse, which were treated at a teaching hospital in the southern region of the city of São Paulo. A total of 92 Notification Forms of Suspected or Confirmed Cases of Violence and Injuries (SIVVA) were analyzed between the years 2008-2013, in the Medical Service and Statistics (Same) at that hospital. Results: The main association between alcohol abuse and traffic accidents, according to the vehicle type was higher among occupants / motorcycle drivers (44.6 %), followed by cars (34.8 %). Regarding gender of victims: 90.2 % male and 9.8 % female. Discussion: The problem of driving vehicles under the influence of legal drugs (like alcohol) has arisen much interest in the scientific community. It is known that alcohol has a significant participation in the occurrence of accidents, often with fatalities. Conclusion: This study highlights the relevance of the transportation accidents, especially by the predominance in the young people and the economically active male population.