Abstract

PINHEIRO, A.I. et al. Principales causas asociadas al traumatismo craneoencefálico en ancianos. Enferm. glob. [online]. 2011, vol.10, n.22. ISSN 1695-6141.

Research shows an increase the trauma occurrences in the elderly, associated to the ñarger elderly population. This study aimed to evaluate characteristics of the elderly and to identify the causes associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the elderly. This is an exploratory descriptive study, carried out with 41 elderly TBI victims, treated for trauma in a public hospital in Fortaleza-Ceará. Data were collected in February and March 2009, through a structured interview containing identification data and questions related to the characteristics of the accident that caused TBI. The ethical and legal aspects were guaranteed. Most of the participants were male (85.3%), economically active; 75.7% live with relatives. The main cause of TBI was a fall (34.2%). Concerning the place where the accident that generated TBI occurred, 23 (56.1%) were in the street. Traumatic brain injury in elderly is a big problem in public health, so its prevention is highly important.

Keywords : Nursing; Traumatic brain injury; Elderly.

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