[Morbidity and mortality of young Brazilian men due to aggression: expression of gender differentials].

Mortality, hospitalization and emergency attendance visits for assault in Brazil, from 1996 to 2007 were analyzed. The data sources are the Mortality Information System/SIM, the Hospital Information System/SIH and the Surveillance System of Violence and Injuries/VIVA of the Ministry of Health. It was focused on males in the 15 to 29 year-old age group, and other variables related to the victim, the aggressor and the event. The male/ woman distribution was 11.6 times higher for mortality, 4.5 times for hospitalization and 2.8 times for hospital emergency treatment. In 2007 the rate of 15 to 29 year-old men was 92.8/100,000 inhabitants. The Southeast and Northeast have the highest incidence and prevalence. The conclusion was that the male/female differential rates occurs during adolescence, intensifies in early adulthood, and despite decreasing in intensity, continues until death. Cultural gender models and socio-structural aspects were examined to explain such marked differences.