A Retrospective Study of Assault Victims Presented to the Clinical Forensic Medicine Unit, Hua Hin Hospital
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Body assault injuries are significant medical and social issues. Understanding the factors associated with body assault may be useful in both clinical and preventive aspects.
OBJECTIVES: This article aimed to compare the factors related to body assault between males and females and the factors associated with severe injury.
METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analytical study was conducted of assault victims presented to the Clinical Forensic Medicine Unit, Hua Hin Hospital, between 5 July 2021 and 5 September 2023. In each case, characteristics of victims and assailants, location and time of injury, mechanism of injury, and injury details were collected. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare the factors between males and females. In addition, Pearson’s chi-square test and univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify the factors associated with severe injury.
RESULTS: Of the 720 patients (mean age: 33.6±14.4 years), 51.7% were male. The majority were injured by bodily force (66.1%). Most female victims were assaulted by their partners in the residence. Contusion was common in patients. The face was the most affected body region. A study found that females are more likely to suffer from neck or lower extremity injuries than males (p≤0.01). Severe injury was found to be significantly associated with male gender (aOR 4.13; 95%CI, 1.99-8.59), age 51 years and over, blunt object injury (aOR 2.95; 95%CI, 1.50-5.81), sharp object injury (aOR 4.61; 95%CI, 2.10-10.11), and firearm injury (aOR 19.00; 95%CI, 3.67-98.34).
CONCLUSIONS: Male gender, victims aged 51 years and over, injuries from firearms, and blunt and sharp objects are associated with severe injury.
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