Frecuencia de lesiones interpersonales en razón de su gravedad en la Unidad de Atención de Peritaje Integral de la Fiscalía Provincial del Azuay en el período enero-diciembre 2021

Abstract

Background: In Ecuador, the violent homicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants has surged over the past five years, rising from 5.84% in 2018 to 42.6% in 2023. In the province of Azuay, the reported interpersonal injury rate stands at 68.2%, with 93 complaints of interpersonal violence recorded in 2019, according to the Citizen Security Council. Despite these figures, no prior study has examined the prevalence of interpersonal injuries by severity in this region. Addressing this gap is crucial for improving the application of Ecuador’s Comprehensive Criminal Code. Objective: To determine the prevalence of interpersonal injuries by severity in the Comprehensive Forensic Evaluation Unit (UAPI) of Azuay’s Provincial Prosecutor’s Office from January to December 2021. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted based on medical-legal reports from individuals evaluated at the UAPI in 2021. The universe comprised 654 reports, from which a sample of 243 was selected using the Fisher and Navarro formula. Data was collected using a form designed by the author, aligned with the study’s objectives. Data were processed using SPSS software, version 24, and results were presented through frequency tables and graphs. Results: Of the total injuries, 49.4% were classified as minor, 45.7% as serious, and 4.9% as very serious. Blunt objects were the primary mechanism of aggression (81.1%), and the most frequently affected anatomical regions were the face and head. A statistically significant relationship was found between injury severity and recovery time (p < 0.001).