PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - M L Ranney
AU  - W Odero
AU  - M J Mello
AU  - M Waxman
AU  - R S Fife
TI  - Injuries from interpersonal violence presenting to a rural health center in Western Kenya: characteristics and correlates
AID  - 10.1136/ip.2008.019547
DP  - 2009 Feb 01
TA  - Injury Prevention
PG  - 36--40
VI  - 15
IP  - 1
4099  - http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/15/1/36.short
4100  - http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/15/1/36.full
SO  - Inj Prev2009 Feb 01; 15
AB  - Objective: To define the scope of injury due to interpersonal violence in a medium-sized town in Western Kenya.Design: Prospective, cross-sectional data collection and analysis.Setting/subjects: Data were prospectively collected on all injured patients (n = 562) presenting to a health center in Western Kenya, 2002–2004. Age, gender, type, and severity of injury, relationship to assailant, disposition, and clinician’s suspicion of alcohol use were recorded.Main outcome measures: Number of injuries due to interpersonal violence; correlation of gender, alcohol use, relationship to assailant, and type of injury.Results: Interpersonal violence caused 43% of all injuries. Men and women were equally likely to suffer violent injuries (42% vs 45%); however, women were more likely to suffer injury from domestic violence (4.7% vs 7.0%) and sexual assault (0% vs 3.5%). Men and women were equally likely to know their assailant. Women were more likely to be injured by a spouse/partner (19% vs 1.3%), whereas men were more likely to be injured by an acquaintance (29% vs 16%). Alcohol use was more often suspected for victims of violent, as opposed to unintentional, injury (45% vs 16%). Men with violent injuries were more likely than women to be suspected of having used alcohol (51% vs 35%).Conclusions: Interpersonal violence is a leading cause of injury in Western Kenya. Although men and women are equally likely to be assaulted, women are more likely to be injured by a spouse, and men by an acquaintance. Alcohol use is common among those who suffer violent injuries in this population.