Violence –related injuries in a rapidly developing Middle Eastern country: A Retrospective Study from a Level 1Trauma Center

Abstract

Background Violence is a global public health problem leading to injuries, long-term physical, sexual or mental health problems and mortality. The burden of violence-related injuries remains understudied in the Arabian Gulf region. The present study aimed to describe the epidemiology of violence-related injuries in Qatar. Methods A retrospective analysis of trauma registry data from a level 1 trauma center was conducted by including all patients presented to the hospital following violence-related injuries in the duration between June 2010 and June 2017. Results The incidence rate of violence-related injuries was 4.6 per 100,000 population per year; significantly higher rate in males (5.5/100,000 males/year vs. 1.8/100,000 females/year) and in younger population, specifically in 25-34 years age-group (41%). South Asians (55%) were the principal victims. Interpersonal violence (IPV: 71%) was the major contributor. Three quarters of the pediatric injuries were caused by IPV and mortality was 8% which in fact was higher than the overall mortality. In-hospital mortality was 6.4%. Higher case fatality rate was reported in females (16% vs.5%, p=0.001). Conclusions Although the rate of violence-related injuries in Qatar was low, its disproportionate burden in the South Asians and young population warrants an evidence-based public health approach in violence prevention that addressing the risk factors. In addition, its burden in the pediatric population is also alarming.

Abdominal Injuries from Civilian Conflicts: An Emerging Global Health Challenge in Rural Southeast Nigeria

“…Akin to findings in this study, Chianakwanam and colleagues examined a large series of 4,256 patients managed for missiles and blast injuries in a multi-centre study in southeast Nigeria and found that 90.3% and 79.6% were males and aged <50 years [6] respectively. Incidentally, our data and those from the above study [6] overlap with reports from other parts of Nigeria [5,12,13,19,23,25], India [27], Tanzania [15,20], Ethiopia [1], Qatar [28], Mauritania [17], Jordan [29], and Sudan [30]. It has been shown that males and young people are generally more exposed to violence and are more aggressive in demonstrating resistance to perceived threats [9,25].…”

“…It has been shown that males and young people are generally more exposed to violence and are more aggressive in demonstrating resistance to perceived threats [9,25]. These observations may partly explain the male and "younger patients" preponderance recorded in this study and other previous studies in SSA [1,5,6,17,20,30], Middle East [28,29], and India [27]. In a Polish study however, the ages of patients ranged between 16-83 years with an average of 41 years and male to female ratio of 1.4:1 [11].…”

“…In a Polish study however, the ages of patients ranged between 16-83 years with an average of 41 years and male to female ratio of 1.4:1 [11]. From the foregoing, it appears more females and older patients in European series sustain abdominal injuries compared to their counterparts in SSA [1, 2, 4, 5, 16-18, 20, 30], India [27], and Qatar [28]. Elsewhere, it was cited that gunshot injuries in developed countries were mainly due to homicidal and suicidal firearm-related violence [9,11].…”