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ABSTRACT: The paper describes the situation of road traffic accidents in Brazil since 1998, when a new Brazilian traffic law was approved, up to the year 2010. A review of both academic and non-academic literature was carried out, including journals (both indexed and non-indexed), technical reports, author searches, searches in paper reference lists and direct contact with researchers. The main problems related to road traffic accidents in Brazil identified were the increase in the absolute number of deaths and in the mortality rates, a rapid increase in the number of motorcycles, and drink & driving. Influent authors in the field and centers of expertise were identified. Some potential solutions are presented by the authors, who suggest that the public offices related to traffic regulation and control are not taking suitable measures for control and reduction of road traffic accidents.
Revista de saude publica 09/2011; 45(5):949-63. · 1.01 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate an educational intervention designed to prevent traffic accidents among workers that use the bicycle for commuting.
A longitudinal intervention study with a stepped wedge implementation was carried out between January 2006 and May 2007. Five neighborhoods with distinct geographic characteristics were selected in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, and 42 census tracts were randomly selected from these neighborhoods. All households were screened for male bicycle commuters, resulting in a sample of 1,133 individuals. The outcomes analyzed were "traffic accidents" and "near accidents". The cyclists were interviewed monthly by phone to record traffic accidents and "near accidents". Every 15 days, from the second month of study, a group of about 60 cyclists was invited to attend the intervention meeting that included an educational component (a talk and a video presentation), distribution of a safety kit (reflective belt & sash, reflective tape and an educational booklet) and a bicycle breaks check-up (maintenance performed if necessary). Poisson regression adjusted for time effect was used to assess the intervention effect.
Nearly 45% of the cyclists did not attend the intervention. During the study period, 9% of the study individuals reported a traffic accident and 88% reported a "near accident". In total there were 106 accidents and 1,091 near accidents. There was no effect observed from the intervention on either of the outcomes.
The intervention tested was not capable of reducing traffic accidents among bicycle commuters. Lack of interest in safety by commuters and external factors, such as road design and motorist behavior, may have together influenced this result.
Revista de saude publica 10/2010; 44(5):867-75. · 1.01 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In 2006, we carried out a cross-sectional study in the urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil, with the aim of outlining the profile of bicycle commuters, analyzing their use of safety equipment and risk behaviors and the association between these variables and involvement in traffic accidents in the previous 12 months. This study was based on the baseline survey carried out prior to an educational intervention aimed at reducing accidents among cyclists. The sample included 1133 male subjects aged 20 years or more, and who used a bicycle for commuting. Crude and adjusted analyses were carried out using Poisson regression. We recorded a total of 152 reported traffic accidents in the 12 months preceding the interview, involving 10.8% of subjects. Most risk behaviors studied and the use of safety equipment showed no significant association with accidents. Only commuting by bicycle seven days per week, as opposed to five or six, and a combination of extremely imprudent behaviors such as zigzagging through traffic, riding after ingesting alcohol, and high-speed riding were found to be risk factors for accidents. Our findings suggest that in the context where the study was done (poor road signaling, limited policing, aggressive driving) changing cyclist behavior may not have substantial impact in terms of accident reduction before other road traffic interventions are implemented.
Accident; analysis and prevention 07/2010; 42(4):1025-30. · 1.65 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to document changes in physical activity of Brazilian adults by comparing two surveys carried out 5 years apart.
Two population-based cross-sectional surveys were carried out in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, in 2002 and 2007. Their multistage sampling strategies were virtually identical. The first study included 3182 and the second 2986 adults aged 20 years or older. The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used in both surveys, and individuals were classified as insufficiently active if reporting less than 150 min per week, according to a score combining moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activity.
Prevalence of insufficient physical activity increased from 41.1% (95% CI 37.4 to 44.9) in 2002 to 52.0% (95% CI 49.1 to 53.8) in 2007. A 70% increase in prevalence of insufficient physical activity (p=0.008) was observed among poor individuals, whereas there was no significant change in the better-off. In contrast to the direct association between insufficient physical activity and socioeconomic level found in 2002, the 2007 survey showed no association. In the 2007 multivariable analysis, insufficient physical activity was directly associated with age and inversely with schooling.
Effective interventions for the promotion of physical activity are urgently required in order to overcome the decline in physical activity levels in this population, particularly among the poor.
Journal of epidemiology and community health 09/2009; 64(7):591-5. · 3.04 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Um estudo transversal de base-populacional foi realizado em Pelotas, sul do Brasil, objetivando pesquisar os determinantes e padrões de utilização da bicicleta como modo de transporte para o trabalho. Foram também descritos os acidentes ocorridos nos últimos 12 meses no deslocamento de ida e volta para o trabalho e a utilização de equipamentos de segurança na bicicleta. A amostra incluiu 1.705 trabalhadores com 15 anos ou mais de idade, residentes na zona urbana, que utilizavam modos de transporte para o trabalho. Análises bruta e ajustada foram realizadas por meio de regressão de Poisson, considerando o efeito do delineamento. A prevalência de utilização da bicicleta foi de 17,2% (IC95%: 15,4-19,0). Trabalhadores homens, com baixa escolaridade e nível econômico mais baixo apresentaram as maiores prevalências. Menos de 1,0% das bicicletas possuía os equipamentos de segurança exigidos pelo Código de Trânsito Brasileiro e 15,0% não tinham freios. Aproximadamente 6,0% desses trabalhadores sofreram acidentes de trânsito com lesões corporais nos últimos 12 meses. Concluímos que trabalhadores que utilizam bicicleta como modo de transporte são prioritários para intervenções preventivas relacionadas a acidentes de trânsito.
Cadernos de Saúde Pública. 01/2005;
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Giancarlo. Bacchieri
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ABSTRACT: Objetivos: Estudar a prevalencia e os fatores relacionados com a utilizacao da bicicleta como modo de transporte entre os trabalhadores. Descrever os acidentes de bicicleta ocorridos durante o percurso para trabalho. Caracterizar a utilizacao da bicicleta de acordo com fatores socioeconomicos, demograficos e frequencia de uso...(AU). Mestre -- Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Departamento de Medicina Social, Pelotas, 2004.
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ABSTRACT: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Pelotas, southern Brazil, focusing on the determinants and patterns of bicycle use as a mode of commuting by workers. Accidents during commuting and use of safety equipment were also studied. The sample included 1,705 workers (> 15 years of age) living in the urban area of Pelotas and using various modes of transportation during commuting. Crude and adjusted analyses were performed using Poisson regression, taking the design effect into account. Prevalence of bicycle use was 17.2% (95%CI: 15.4%-19.0%). Male workers and those with low schooling and low income presented higher prevalence. Less than 1.0% of the bicycles featured the safety equipment required by the Brazilian Traffic Code, and 15.0% did not even have brakes. Nearly 6.0% of workers who commuted by bicycle had suffered accidents resulting in injuries during the previous 12 months. The authors conclude that bicycling workers are a priority for interventions aimed at reducing traffic accidents.
Cadernos de Saúde Pública 21(5):1499-508. · 0.89 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In 2006, we carried out a cross-sectional study in the urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil, with the aim of outlining the profile of bicycle commuters, analyzing their use of safety equipment and risk behaviors and the association between these variables and involvement in traffic accidents in the previous 12 months. This study was based on the baseline survey carried out prior to an educational intervention aimed at reducing accidents among cyclists. The sample included 1133 male subjects aged 20 years or more, and who used a bicycle for commuting. Crude and adjusted analyses were carried out using Poisson regression. We recorded a total of 152 reported traffic accidents in the 12 months preceding the interview, involving 10.8% of subjects. Most risk behaviors studied and the use of safety equipment showed no significant association with accidents. Only commuting by bicycle seven days per week, as opposed to five or six, and a combination of extremely imprudent behaviors such as zigzagging through traffic, riding after ingesting alcohol, and high-speed riding were found to be risk factors for accidents. Our findings suggest that in the context where the study was done (poor road signaling, limited policing, aggressive driving) changing cyclist behavior may not have substantial impact in terms of accident reduction before other road traffic interventions are implemented.
Accident Analysis & Prevention.
