Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T12:51:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandofilipe_tese.pdf: 1172193 bytes, checksum: 8b0890c07d50bd39fe00a7a8f85c0c83 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-05-06 / Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of disability, morbidity and mortality in people and has become a very important public health issue with high socioeconomic costs. Aim: To evaluate traumatic brain injuries in an urban area in respect to gender, age, occupation and schooling of the victim, the etiology of the injury, duration of hospitalization, evolution and the influence of changes in the road traffic laws on the occurrence of traumatic brain injuries. Patients and Methods: A total of 258 patients admitted to Hospital de Base as victims of brain injuries inside the urban area of São José do Rio Preto from 2005 to 2008 were analyzed. Results: Of this total, 216 were men (83.7%) with a mean age of 44.8 years (range: 4-89 years) and 42 were women (16.3%) with a mean age of 53.3 years (range: 13-96 years). Falls (34.5%) and motorcycle accidents (21.7%) were the most frequent etiologies. Mean hospitalization was 6.7 days. In general, victims were service sector workers (51.1%) and had only completed junior school (56.2%). The mortality rate among individuals who suffered traumatic brain injuries was 26.7%. A non-statistically significant drop (about 50%) in the number of traumatic brain injuries was recorded in the first half of 2008, which coincided with the introduction of tougher road traffic laws that increased punishment for drink drivers and decreased the legal blood alcoholic limit. Conclusion: Traumatic brain injuries predominantly involve men with a lower age than women. Falls are the most frequent cause in aged people, followed by motorcycle accidents in young individuals. Service sector workers are more likely to suffer traumatic brain x injuries than other manual workers. The recent change in the drink driver laws did not influence the occurrence of traumatic brain injuries. / O traumatismo crâniencefálico (TCE) é a maior causa de incapacidade, morbidade e mortalidade na população, tornando-se uma questão de saúde pública com grande importância e influência no custo socioeconômico da população. Objetivo: Analisar o TCE urbano considerando o sexo, a idade, a etiologia, o tempo de internação, a evolução, a atividade ocupacional, o grau de escolaridade e a influência da alteração do Código de Trânsito na ocorrência do TCE. Casuística e Método: Foram analisados 258 pacientes atendidos e internados no Hospital de Base vítimas de TCE dentro do perímetro urbano da cidade de São José do Rio Preto no período de 2005 a 2008. Resultados: Desse total, 216 eram do sexo masculino (83,7%) e tinham idade média de 44,8 anos (intervalo de 4 a 89 anos). Os outros 42 analisados (16,3%) eram do sexo feminino e apresentavam idade média de 53,3 anos, (intervalo de 13-96). Quanto à etiologia do trauma, observamos queda (34,5%) e acidente de moto (21,7%) como os mais freqüentes. A duração média da internação foi de 6,7 dias. A taxa de mortalidade do estudo foi de 26,7%. Os pacientes, na sua maioria, eram prestadores de serviços (51,1%) e apresentavam ensino fundamental (56,2%). Foi observada uma tendência de queda (em torno de 50%), na freqüência do TCE no primeiro semestre de 2008, sem significado estatístico, que coincidiu com o início de novas regras na Legislação de Trânsito, que tornaram as penalidades mais rigorosas e diminuíram a tolerância dos níveis de álcool no sangue dos condutores. Conclusão: O TCE apresenta-se com predomínio no sexo masculino em uma viii faixa etária inferior a do sexo feminino, sendo a queda a causa mais frequente na população idosa, seguida dos acidentes motociclísticos nos jovens. Os prestadores de serviços e com ensino fundamental são mais propensos ao TCE. As novas regras no Código de Trânsito não influenciaram a ocorrência do TCE.

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies / The study investigates the management of traffic law in Limpopo Province with specific reference to Vhembe District and explore possible solutions to the challenges facing Vhembe District in the management of traffic law. Road transport safety, particularly enforcement of traffic laws is challenging globally, especially in developing countries, where it affects both road users and governments. Due to a number of reasons the subculture of traffic and other law enforcement agents is not always viewed in a favorable light. Media reports and newspaper articles give evidence of a total disregard for law enforcement and lack of respect for law enforcement officials. The study used both quantitative and qualitative techniques for data collection and analysis. The Quantitative techniques were mostly used in that they provided the researcher with an understanding of experiences and challenges facing traffic officers in the management of traffic law in Limpopo Province with specific reference to Vhembe District. A simple random and purposive sample was used for selection of a sample population. A purposive sampling technique will be employed in selection study participants of qualitative method. A sample of 50 traffic officers was randomly selected for the survey and 10 traffic chiefs and principals were purposively selected for the interviews. The study found that of lack of good managerial skills, lack of motivation to work, shortage of staff, lack of modern equipment and lack of training as challenges. The treatment of traffic offenses as “petty” by the Department of Justice and in particular magistrates was also identified as a major challenge. The study recommends that the Department of Transport Management should provide traffic police officials with sufficient resources and equipment at the traffic police stations in order to perform optimally. / NRF