OBJECTIVE:
to describe the epidemiological profile and the magnitude of homicides in the city of Maceió, Alagoas, Brasil, 2007-2012.
METHODS:
this was a descriptive study of deaths from homicides recorded on the Mortality Information System occurring between January 1st, 2007 and December 31st, 2012.
RESULTS:
5,735 homicides were registered in the period, with rates ranging from 89.6 deaths/100 000 inhabitants (in 2012) to 111.4 deaths (in 2011); 94.8% of victims were male, 66.2% were youth aged from 15 to 29 years, 79.9% were of brown race/color; homicides occurred mostly at night and in the early hours (51.5%), involving firearms (87.8%) and in the city's suburbs (32.6%).
CONCLUSION:
homicide mortality was high, affecting mainly young, male and brown skinned people. The study highlights the need for effective public policies to combat violence.
Homicide; Mortality; Epidemiology, Descriptive; Violence; External Causes
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