Citation

Wiebe DJ, Blackstone MM, Mollen CJ, Culyba AJ, Fein JA. J. Adolesc. Health 2011; 48(2): S86-S87.

Affiliation

Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6021; Tel: 215-746-0149;

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.01.009

PMID

21499505

Abstract

PURPOSE: To estimate, using a novel interactive voice response (IVR) survey, the incidence of self-reported violence-related experiences of adolescent assault-injured patients in the weeks following Emergency Department (ED) discharge. METHODS: In an urban ED, a prospective cohort study with eight week follow-up IVR survey either weekly, bi-weekly or monthly after discharge was conducted with patients aged 12-19 years presenting with assault-related injuries. Survival analysis methods were used to estimate cumulative risks of self-reported violence experience within four and eight weeks. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were enrolled; 42 (44.2%) reported to the IVR survey. As a result of the ED index event, an estimated 18.2% (CI=9.1-34.6%) reported being assaulted (no weapon), 2.9% (CI=0.4-19.1%) had been shot or stabbed, 20.7% (CI=10.9-37.3%) had assaulted someone else (no weapon), and 2.9% (CI=0.4-19.1%) shot or stabbed someone else. Additionally, 54.6% (CI=39.6-70.9%) had avoided going certain places, 47.0% (CI=32.5-64.1%) considered retaliating, 38.1% (CI=24.3-56.3%) had been threatened, and 27.0% (CI=15.4-44.6%) had carried a weapon. Most outcome occurrences happened within four weeks. There was evidence that intent to retaliate when asked at baseline was associated with an elevated risk of several outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The risk for subsequent violence among assault-injured adolescent ED patients appears high within weeks of discharge.

Language: en