O-09 Patterns of interpersonal violence injury location by weapon type
Author(s):
J Agard, N Sobers, H Wong, M Joseph, J Toppin4, N Florquin, A-S Fabre, R King, G Gordon-Strachan, SG Anderson
Year of Presentation:
2024
Objective: To examine the distribution of injury locations of interpersonal violence injuries based on the weapon used.
Methods: The Caribbean Firearms Study was conducted in 2022 by the George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre, Small Arms Survey and CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS). The study retrospectively reviewed 298 medical records of interpersonal violence injuries from 2019, in Barbados, Bahamas and Jamaica. The patient data from this study was further analysed to assess the distribution of the anatomical injury locations seen as it relates to the weapon used
Results: The data reveals that there is predominance of lower extremity and pelvis injuries caused by fireamrs, head and neck injuries caused by blunt weapons and abdominal and chest injuries caused by sharp weapons. Almost a third of patients had injuries in more than one anatomical location.
Conclusion: These findings correspond to prior studies on the common locations for firearm, blunt and sharp weapon injuries. These patterns of injuries seen with particular weapons, can help to explain resource utilisation required for treatment. We intend to undertake further analysis on the data to determine how location of injury as well as severity of injury influences the medical resources used, patient disability outcomes and the out-patient resources required.