EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF CRANIOENCEPHALIC TRAUMA RESULTING FROM EXTERNAL CAUSES IN THE NORTHEASTERN REGION

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a significant public health problem in Brazil, mainly associated with external causes such as traffic accidents and urban violence, with high morbidity and mortality among young adults. The objective of this study was to analyze the epidemiological data of deaths from external causes in young adults in the Northeast Region of Brazil and discuss their implications for nursing care. This was an epidemiological, descriptive, retrospective, and quantitative study, conducted using secondary data from the Mortality Information System (SIM/DATASUS), covering the period from 2014 to 2024. Deaths of individuals aged 20 to 39 years resulting from traffic accidents, assaults, and falls were evaluated. A total of 205,134 deaths were recorded during the analyzed period. Assaults accounted for 71.89% of cases (147,479), followed by transport accidents (26.87%; 55,120) and falls (1.24%; 2,535). Males predominated in all causes, ranging from 87.64% to 94.0% of victims. The highest concentration of deaths occurred among those aged 20 to 24. The findings highlight the high vulnerability of the young male population in the Northeast region of Brazil. In this context, Nursing plays a fundamental role in the care of neurocritically ill patients, in stabilization in urgent and emergency situations, and in the development of educational actions aimed at preventing accidents and violence.