Comparative epidemiological study of firearms related mortality in Brazil and Argentina, 1990-2005

In order to analyze mortality through fire weapons in Brazil and Argentina between 1990 and 2005, a descriptive epidemiological study was carried out using mortality official data in both countries. Number, proportions and crude and adjusted rates were analyzed for each kind of death (rated according to CIE-9(a) y CIE-10(a)), together with total per year and yearly average of the period, sex and age. The global profile of both countries presented a growing tendency, but Brazil showed greater values of deaths and homicides through fire weapons in the whole period. From the results, a hypothesis is discussed: Brazil's profile, especially the one of homicides through fire weapons, is a consequence, not only of the social violence which answers to the high inequality and exclusion suffered by a great part of the population, but also to the emergence, expansion and strengthening of several armed groups in that country. The Argentine profile would be in part, the result of the increase in social violence and also an answer to the present socioeconomic decrease. It would also be a consequence of the historical monopolization of the violence from the part of the State.