Epidemiology of mortality from traffic accidents in Honduras (2013–2023)

Abstract

Introduction: Traffic accidents are a major cause of mortality in Honduras, whose temporal, sex, and territorial patterns require further exploration. Objective: To characterize mortality due to traffic accidents in Honduras, emphasizing differences by sex, age group, victim role, and geographic distribution. Materials and methods: Descriptive ecological study. Crude and age-standardized mortality rates from traffic accidents in Honduras (2013–2023) were calculated, stratified by sex, age, and department, using data from the National Observatory of Violence. Temporal trends and the geographic distribution of deaths were analyzed. Results: Between 2013 and 2023, a total of 16,764 deaths from traffic accidents were recorded in Honduras, of which 87% (14,037) corresponded to men. The age-standardized mortality rate among men (per 100,000 inhabitants) showed an annual increase of 3.5% (95% CI: 1.2–6.1%; p < 0.001), while no significant changes were observed among women. The most frequent victim roles were pedestrian (31.2%) and motorcycle driver (24.8%). The departments of Atlántida and Comayagua had the highest mortality rates, with 24.1 and 22.7 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. Conclusion: Mortality due to traffic accidents in Honduras shows an upward trend, with higher rates among men and older adults. Motorcycle drivers and pedestrians are the most affected groups, highlighting the need for comprehensive prevention and road safety strategies.