Injury patterns and associated demographics of intimate partner violence in men presenting to U.S. emergency departments

Abstract

Research suggests that there are differences between sexes in physical intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization that could lead to different injury patterns. In addition, research shows that men under‐report their injuries yet may suffer grave consequences. It is, thus, vital to establish physical injury patterns in male IPV victims. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System‐All Injury Program data from 2005 to 2015 for all IPV‐related injuries in both male and female patients. Sex differences by demographics, mechanism, anatomic location, and diagnoses of IPV injuries were analyzed using statistical methods accounting for the weighted stratified nature of the data. IPV accounted for 0.61% of all emergency department visits; 17.2% were in males and 82.8% in females. Male patients were older (36.1% vs. 16.8% over 60 years), more likely to be Black (40.5% vs. 28.8%), sustained more injuries due to cutting (28.1% vs. 3.5%), more lacerations (46.9% vs. 13.0%), more injuries to the upper extremity (25.8% vs. 14.1%), and fewer contusions/abrasions (30.1% vs. 49.0%), compared to female IPV patients (p < .0001). There were also more hospitalizations in men (7.9% vs. 3.7% p = .0002). Knowledge of specific IPV‐related injury characteristics in men will enable healthcare providers to counteract underreporting of IPV.

A scoping review of intimate partner violence in hospitalized patients

“…The 12 included studies reflect the varied composition of patients. With regard to participants' gender, 6 studies included women only, [18][19][20][21]23,29 5 studies included both women and men, 22,[24][25][26][27] and 1 study included men only. 28 In terms of medical populations of interest, three studies included a general population, 18,20,27 four studies involved only trauma patients, 22,[24][25][26] two studies involved only pregnant women, 23,29 and three studies involved highly specific populations with certain psychosocial attributes (two studies with HIV+ individuals who also either faced housing instability 19 or identified as gay or bisexual, 28 and one study involved women with substance use histories who were in intimate relationships with men involved in community corrections 21 ).…”

More support, knowledge and awareness are needed to prepare emergency department nurses to approach potential intimate partner violence victims

“…There seems to be a cumulative effect from IPV, meaning that the more often and serious the abuse is experienced during lifetime, the worse the health outcomes [6], illustrating the great potential of early identification. In the emergency department (ED), patients seek help for health problems that may be related to exposure to any form of intimate partner violence, but rarely to physical injuries [1,5]. IPV correlates with increased morbidity and mortality among men and women [3,7,8].…”

“…As many as 54% of women seeking emergency care may have been exposed to IPV, but despite the number of patients exposed, only about 5% are identified by healthcare workers [15]. The number of men identified may be even lower [3,5]. These patients often have a complexity of emotional, physical and psychological distress.…”

“…Both men and women who experience IPV may also have difficulties seeking help due to psychological consequences associated with victimisation, including low self-esteem and self-blame. [3,5,16,17] and, thus do not ask for help. The Swedish Board of Health and Welfare strongly recommends that health care staff ask about IPV when it is suspected [18].…”

“…In Sweden, about 7% of men (6.7%) and women (7.0%) (ages 16–79) were victims of IPV in the last year (2021) [4]. Violence against women tends to be more systematic, physically more serious and lead to more hospital visits [4, 5]. There seems to be a cumulative effect from IPV, meaning that the more often and serious the abuse is experienced during lifetime, the worse the health outcomes [6], illustrating the great potential of early identification.…”