Adolescent homicides in Mexico, 1979-2005 trends and socio-geographical variations [Homicidios de adolescentes en México, 1979-2005: Evolución y variaciones sociogeográficas]

Abstract

This study analyzes the evolution of adolescent homicide rate (10-19 years old) in Mexico between 1979 and 2005, and its socio-geographic variations for the biennial 2004-2005. Mortality databases available in the National System of Health Information were used. Results indicate that the adolescent homicide rate has substantially diminished, but it is higher than the rate of most of industrialized countries. The rate reduction in men has been higher than in women, and more than 50% of the homicide has been by firearms. Drug traffic is the variable that better explains the interstate variations in homicide rate for the group from 15 to 19 years of age, but for the 10-14 age group is scholar desertion the variable that better explains the variations in firearms homicide rate.