No abstract

Background-Fractures associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) are devastating injuries that can have lifelong implications. With exception to the facial region, there are very limited epidemiological reports describing the types and location of IPV-related fractures. The objective of this study is to review a national database and describe trends associated with IPV-related fractures. Methods-An analysis of all adults was performed using the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 through 2014.Data including demographics, age, location of fracture, and drug/alcohol use were described and analyzed. Findings-There were 1,352 records identified where the patient was diagnosed with an IPVrelated fracture. Women accounted for 83% of the population and the mean age was 37.5 years. Approximately 30% of the population was diagnosed with vertebral, trunk, and rib fractures. Variances among fracture location were observed across age groups. Facial fractures were recorded more in the younger population (18-39 years) when compared to other age groups (40-59 years; 60+ years), p<0.0001. Alternatively, rib and femur fractures were more common among survivors aged 60+ when compared to the younger age groups, p<0.0001. Interpretation-The ability to identify and respond to survivors of IPV in the healthcare setting is critically important. While facial fractures are common, they are not the only type of fractures that are seen. In many cases, healthcare professionals are the first line of defense in identifying suspected IPV cases. The findings of this paper build upon existing literature while also describing IPV-related fractures across the age spectrum.

Level IV.

On March 8, 2022 this report was posted as an MMWR Early Release on the MMWR website (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr).Masks are effective at limiting transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (1), but the impact of policies requiring masks in school settings has not been widely evaluated (2-4). During fall 2021, some school districts in Arkansas implemented policies requiring masks for students in kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12). To identify any association between mask policies and COVID-19 incidence, weekly school-associated COVID-19 incidence in school districts with full or partial mask requirements was compared with incidence in districts without mask requirements during August 23-October 16, 2021. Three analyses were performed: 1) incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated comparing districts with full mask requirements (universal mask requirement for all students and staff members) or partial mask requirements (e.g., masks required in certain settings, among certain populations, or if specific criteria could not be met) with school districts with no mask requirement; 2) ratios of observed-to-expected numbers of cases, by district were calculated; and 3) incidence in districts that switched from no mask requirement to any mask requirement were compared before and after implementation of the mask policy. Mean weekly district-level attack rates were 92-359 per 100,000 persons in the community* and 137-745 per 100,000 among students and staff members; mean student and staff member vaccination coverage ranged from 13.5% to 18.6%. Multivariable adjusted IRRs, which included adjustment for vaccination coverage, indicated that districts with full mask requirements had 23% lower COVID-19 incidence among students and staff members compared with school districts with no mask requirements. Observed-to-expected ratios for full and partial mask policies were lower than ratios for districts with no mask policy but * Community attack rates were based on the weekly number of cases in the school district, minus the weekly number of cases among staff members or students during the same period. Denominators were calculated based on the population for each school district, minus the district student and staff member 2021-22 enrollment.