Predictors of violent injury resulting in treatment

Introduction: Orofacial injury in violence is very frequent. Two-thirds of all UK injuries sustained in violence affect the head and neck. Objectives: To determine demographic and situational predictors of violent injury resulting in treatment. Methods: Nationally-representative prospective victimization data (British Crime Survey 2005/6; n=47,796) were studied to determine predictors of violent injury that resulted in treatment. These were included in a series of regression models. Results: Backward stepwise logistic regression models showed that likelihood of injury was inversely related to age (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.96, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 0.95-0.97). Male gender (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.11-2.07), being separated or divorced (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.45-3.18) and number of previous violent victimizations (OR 6.28, 95% CI 5.65-6.98) also predicted treatment for injury. In terms of British Crime Survey violence type, being punched (OR 3.51, 95% CI 2.87-4.30), kicked (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.65-3.21) or hit with a weapon (OR 4.91, 95% CI 2.68-9.00), but not sexual assault, robbery or “being grabbed or pushed”, were all significantly related to injury treatment. Treatment likelihood did not vary by use of bottles/glasses, stabbing instruments, firearms or blunt objects. There was a significant positive relationship between victim alcohol intake and injury (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.59-2.65), but not between assailant alcohol intoxication and injury. Injury risk was not increased for those who initiated the incident or who fought back. Conclusions: Alcohol risk factors were more important for the injured than for assailants, confirming that intoxication increases vulnerability. Age, being separated or divorced, history of victimization, being punched, kicked or hit with a weapon and alcohol dosage at the time of the incident predicted treatment for injury sustained in violence.