Motorcycle accidents mortality in the municipality of Belo Horizonte, Brazil: factors associated with using of alcohol and drugs

INTRODUCTION: Statistics have shown an increase in motorcycle accidents in the large number of traffic accidents in Brazil and therefore deserve further analysis. Importantly, in our country toxicology tests are not done routinely by traffic officers. OBJECTIVE: To verify the frequency of positive post mortem blood of legal (alcohol) and illegal drugs (crack / cocaine, marijuana) concentration (BADC) among motorcyclists dead between 2008 and 2012 in Belo Horizonte and to examine associated factors in a cross-sectional study. 

METHODS: Characteristics of motorcycle deaths in 1,220 occurred in the period analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate associated factors.  It was not given the time elapsed between death and completion of toxicology.  

RESULTS: The victims are men (93%), >25 years old (55%), non married (82%), black (63%), > 8 years of schooling (94%).The prevalence of positive BADC was 21%. The multivariate analysis showed that only death in the street (OR = 5.2; 95% CI: 3.8-7.0) was a factor associated with BADC.  Protection factors are age <25 years (OR = 0,6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.7),  be married (OR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.6). Sex, schooling and race were not significantly associated with post mortem blood alcohol and drugs (crack / cocaine, marijuana) concentration (BADC) among motorcyclists.

CONCLUSIONS: This study findings suggest that the complexity of the association between the use of legal and illegal drugs and traffic accidents among motorcyclists, serious public health problems in Brazil. It puts on the agenda the need to debates based on reliable information. Results can help to inform drinking/drugs using and driving policy and preventive approaches. SUPPORT: FAPEMIG APQ-01511-79.