Assault and self-harm injuries: pattern, severity and etiology of injuries in victims attending emergency department of teaching hospital in central India

Abstract

Background:Intentional injury, including interpersonal violence and self-harm, is one of the world’s leading causes of preventable injury. In India self-harm injuries, tops the list as a cause of mortality in 15-24 years age group, placing heavy burden on health care facilities. We examined violent injuries treated in the emergency department (ED) of our hospital to describe the epidemiology of assault and self-harm injuries.

Methods: Prospective data of 259 violence related injuries was collected who presented or received care from the ED of Hospital. Information about individual demographics; mechanism, nature, place, and activity of injury; injury types, and body regions affected; and discharge state were compared for assault and self-harm injuries.

Results:Of the 259 patients treated for violence-related injuries, 85.3% were of assault and 14.7% for self-harm injuries. The majority of patients were between the ages of 15 and 34. Male predominance (77.8%) seen in assault cases, while female predominance seen in self-harm injuries. Alcohol intoxication was found in majority of victim and assailant as a provocating factor. Struck by or against was the most common mechanism of injury in assault cases while cutting/piercing in self-harm injuries. Soft tissue injuries predominate in both groups.

Conclusions:Assault and Self- Harm injuries are dominant cause of morbidity and mortality in young adults leading to loss of productive lives. Interventions that focus on detection and treatment of psychological illness, reduction of alcohol use and associated aggression, and family and intimate partner violence are suggested as priorities.