Incidence and Factors Associated With Interpersonal Violence in Trauma Patients in a U.S.-Mexico Border City: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Abstract

Background: Interpersonal violence occurs frequently and has devastating effects on the health of Hispanic trauma survivors. However, the incidence and risk factors associated with interpersonal violence remain understudied in U.S.-Mexico border communities.

Objective: This study aims to identify the incidence and factors associated with interpersonal violence in trauma patients in a U.S.-Mexico border city.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study design was used to explore interpersonal violence in patient records from the sexual assault nurse examiner trauma registry in a Southwestern Level I trauma center from 2017 to 2022. Inclusion criteria included all interpersonal violence trauma survivors seen by the sexual assault nurse examiner department. Exclusion criteria included specific data points in the trauma registry, such as types of injury, zip code of interpersonal violence survivor residency, and outreach services that could reidentify trauma survivors. Variables of interest included survivor and interpersonal violence incident characteristics.

Results: Of the total N = 1,249 patients studied, the mean age was 23; 86% (N = 1,077) were female, and 69.7% (N = 870) were Hispanic/Latino/Spanish. Interpersonal violence events were more likely to occur in May, June, and October, on the weekends, and between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. Significant associations were noted between age and gender, race and ethnicity, hearing status, and disability.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of assessing regional patterns of interpersonal violence to identify local population trends that can inform staff training and community outreach efforts for targeted interpersonal violence prevention.