Epidemiología y perfil médico legal de las muertes violentas en el Ecuador durante el estado de excepción, año 2020

Abstract

Background: Although violent deaths in Ecuador remain low compared to other countries in the region, they have shown an increase in recent years. With the arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, is important to measure the real statistical and epidemiological data of violent deaths, which were documented during the confinement period of the 2020 National State of Exception Objective: To determine the epidemiology and medical-legal profile of violent deaths in Ecuador during the State of Exception, year 2020 Methodology: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study. A data collection form was made and used as in instrument in this study. The data was tabulated in Microsoft Excel, calculating frequency, percentage, and measures of dispersion. Results: Violent deaths were more prevalent than previous years in young adult males of Ecuadorian nationality in urban areas. Violent deaths varied by geographical sub-area, as well as by cause. Firearms were found to be more commonly used in homicides, while constrictor weapons were more commonly documented in suicides. Both homicides and suicides were more common during weeks when fines were in place to maintain home confinement. However, accidental deaths, such as those caused by falls and precipitations were more commonly documented on Fridays. Conclusions: The results obtained do not differ significantly from those obtained in previous national or international studies. Violent deaths continue to be a public health problem. Further study is needed to determine the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the rates and types of violent death in Ecuador