Self-reported Violence-related Outcomes for Adolescents Within Eight Weeks Of Emergency Department Treatment For Assault Injury

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. (Author Abstract)