Characteristics of Victims of Interpersonal Violence Presented to Emergency Department, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya

Abstract

Introduction: Violence is a universal phenomenon and timely data is of paramount importance in prevention through community interventions. Objectives: To identify predispositions of interpersonal violence, injury characteristics, and outcomes of victims presented to the emergency department (ED) of Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya (THK). Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 victims of interpersonal violence admitted to ED, THK using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and medical documents which were analysed using SPSS. The mental state of victims was assessed using MMSE. Results: The majority was male (77%), aged 30-49 years (36%), and from lower social classes (77%). The commonest places of violence were home (28%) and community (26%). The majority reported physical/verbal violence (96%). Sexual violence was less common (2%) and significantly associated with female-gender (p=0.001). The frequent assailant was an acquaintance (65%). The commonest reasons were property (33%) and financial (31%). The commonest weapon was blunt objects (81%) and the least common was firearms (1%). Common predispositions were peer (49%) and alcohol (37%) related, while 27% had kids with criminal records. Contusions (40%) were the most prevalent injury followed by abrasions (33%). Head and face (41%) and upper limbs (38%) were common sites. The commonest category of hurt (COH) was non-grievous (61%) followed by grievous (24%), Fatal (FIOCN) (3%), and endangering (1%). Approximately, 45% underwent surgeries, 2% were admitted to ICU and 1% died. COH was significantly associated with the mental state (p<0.001) and smelling of alcohol (p=0.002). Conclusion: Physical/verbal-violence was common in males, whereas sexual-violence was strongly associated with females. A considerable proportion had grievous injuries which were significantly associated with mental state.