Dynamics of traumatism, mortality and lethality in damage by sharp objects in Leningrad – St. Petersburg in 1978–2020

Abstract

Purpose of the study. Тo analyze the dynamics of traumatism, mortality and lethality from injuries with sharp objects in Leningrad — St. Petersburg, taking into account economic processes, regulation of the alcoholic beverages market and the capabilities of the ambulance service.Materials and methods. The work is based on archival material of the St. Petersburg State Budgetary Healthcare Institution “Bureau of Forensic Medicine” for 1978–2020.Results and discussion. For 43 years in the evolution of traumatism, mortality and lethality from injuries from sharp objects, periods have been traced: pre-crisis (1978–1990), crisis with phases of rise (1991–1993), turning-point (1994) and recession (1995–2004), exit from the crisis or the beginning of stabilization (2005–2011), post-crisis stabilization (2012–2020). The dynamics of statisti cal indicators was influenced by the anti-alcohol campaign (1985), the destabilization of the alcohol market and the elimination of the state monopoly on alcohol (1990–1992), the restoration of state regulation of the turnover of alcoholic products (1993), and the restriction of alcohol consumption (since 1995), financial and economic crises (1991, 1998, 2008–2009), improvement of the emergency medical service (2004, 2013).Conclusions. Economic crises were accompanied by negative dynamics of traumatism. The destabilization of the alcoholic beverages market was accompanied by an increase in traumatism and mortality. The well-organized work of the ambulance service ensures an acceptable level of lethality and mortality.