Patterns of violence related injuries presenting to the Cornwall Regional Hospital

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Determine the factors associated with violence related injuries (VRI) presenting the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH). DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were collected from the Jamaica Injury Surveillance System (JISS) on all patients presenting to the CRH during April and May 2014. This information was collected at hospital registration from all patients with VRIs after triage in the hospital emergency room. RESULTS: A total of 438 patients presented to the Cornwall Regional Hospital during April and May 2014. Complete data were located for 407 of these patients (93%). Of these 58% (237) were males and 42% (170) were female. The most common age group presented in the data was 18-29 years (37%) and blunt trauma was the most common method of injury (34%). The most common circumstance surrounding VRIs was a fight (77%) and 43% of persons were injured by an acquaintance. Gang and drug related VRIs accounted for less than 1% of injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The JISS represents an excellent source of data on VRIs in Montego Bay and Jamaica. It allows the creation of a profile of those injured during violence and the surrounding circumstances. Violence might be a common part of interaction between friends and family.