Background Although interpersonal violence (IPV) is not uncommon, it is under-reported. It poses physical, psychological, economic, and social consequences. We aimed to assess the prevalence, pattern and outcomes of IPV in small rapidly developing Arab Middle Eastern country.

Methods We conducted retrospective analysis of prospective collected data of subjects presented to level 1 trauma center post-violence between June 2010 and June 2017.

Results We identified 658 subjects (6.5%) who sustained violence-related injury and admitted to the trauma center with a mean age of 31±11 years. Ninety percent of violence victims were males and 55% were from South Asia and 11% were Qataris. The mechanism of injury was almost equally distributed between blunt and penetrating trauma. The majority of injuries was IPV (71%) followed by self-directed injury (22%). Blood alcohol screening (BAC) revealed 23% positive with mean BAC level of 37±17. Head, Abdomen, chest, face and neck injury was reported in 27%, 24.5%, 21%, 13% and 7.3%, respectively. The mean injury severity score was 10±9, mean head AIS (3±1), chest AIS (3±1) and abdomen (2±1). The most affected age group was between 25–35 years old (41%) followed by age group between 18–24 years (20%). Intubation was required in 24% of cases followed by exploratory laparotomy (18.5%) and chest tube insertion (12.5%). Psychiatric consultation was performed in 20% of cases. Overall all-cause mortality was 6.4%.

Conclusions violence Is not common among admitted trauma patients in Qatar. IPV constitutes almost three-quarter of violence with a particular demographic pattern. In this regards, preventive measures in addition to further research projects are needed.