Pattern and Etiology of Injuries on Physical Assault cases at Emergency Department of Bir Hospital, Kathmandu

Abstract

Introduction: Violence is one of the leading causes of preventable injuries. It is also one of the major public health problems worldwide. Nepal also witnessed 16,831 deaths due to injuries in 2017 which increased from 6.31% in 1990.

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on victim of physical assault to study the pattern and etiology of their injury who had visited Emergency department of Bir Hospital and National Trauma Centre, Kathmandu. The data was mainly collected through physical examination of the victims and a proforma was used to collect the necessary information regarding the history, victim, incident and alleged weapon, which were presented in frequency and percentage.

Results: A total of 206 presented within a year. Male to female ratio was 1.26:1. The commonest age group involved was 15-24 years i.e. 36.4%. Alcohol intoxication was found as aggravating factor in majority. Blunt object was the most common alleged weapon of injury in assault followed by body parts of the alleged assailant ie.fist and feet. Soft tissue, head and neck were the most common site of injuries.

Conclusions: Physical assault is the one of the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality in young adult leading to loss of productive lives. Educational programs, psycho-social counselling to family members and intimate partner violence, interventions that focuses on detection and treatment of psychological illness, reduction of alcohol use and associated aggression are suggested to decrease the fre-quency of violence .