BACKGROUND: Youth violence is a significant problem in the United States with high recidivism rates. Considering these high recidivism rates in youths after an initial injury, we hypothesized a hospital-based violence prevention program aimed at increasing awareness, empowering positive conflict resolution, and promoting future vocational goals would benefit at-risk youth before they are injured. METHODS: A feasibility study was completed on our Violence and Injury Prevention (VIP) tour program at our urban Level I trauma center. Participants were at-risk youth, aged 11 years to 17 years. Anonymous data were collected using an Audience Response System. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-five students participated from January 2007 to August 2008. Sixty-three percent were 6th to 8th graders, 70% were boys. Seventy-nine percent stated that they knew someone who had been injured or killed because of violence, with significantly more boys than girls (p = 0.05). More boys than girls stated that they have access to a gun (p < 0.05). Almost 60% of the participants stated that they had engaged in violence within the past 6 months, with no difference by gender (p = 0.085). Of the respondents, 84.2% reported an increase in their awareness on the consequences of violence. This was more significant for girls than boys (p < 0.05). Of the participants, 86.3% reported increased understanding of hospital care for a trauma patient. Participants stated that they would recommend VIP to others. CONCLUSION: VIP educated local urban youth about violence and increased their awareness of the injuries resulting from violence. In addition, at-risk youths were exposed to career opportunities in health care.
BACKGROUND: Youth violence is a significant problem in the United States with high recidivism rates. Considering these high recidivism rates in youths after an initial injury, we hypothesized a hospital-based violence prevention program aimed at increasing awareness, empowering positive conflict resolution, and promoting future vocational goals would benefit at-risk youth before they are injured. METHODS: A feasibility study was completed on our Violence and Injury Prevention (VIP) tour program at our urban Level I trauma center. Participants were at-risk youth, aged 11 years to 17 years. Anonymous data were collected using an Audience Response System. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-five students participated from January 2007 to August 2008. Sixty-three percent were 6th to 8th graders, 70% were boys. Seventy-nine percent stated that they knew someone who had been injured or killed because of violence, with significantly more boys than girls (p = 0.05). More boys than girls stated that they have access to a gun (p < 0.05). Almost 60% of the participants stated that they had engaged in violence within the past 6 months, with no difference by gender (p = 0.085). Of the respondents, 84.2% reported an increase in their awareness on the consequences of violence. This was more significant for girls than boys (p < 0.05). Of the participants, 86.3% reported increased understanding of hospital care for a traumapatient. Participants stated that they would recommend VIP to others. CONCLUSION: VIP educated local urban youth about violence and increased their awareness of the injuries resulting from violence. In addition, at-risk youths were exposed to career opportunities in health care.
Authors: Quyen M Ngo; Eric Sigel; Allante Moon; Sara F Stein; Lynn S Massey; Frederick Rivara; Cheryl King; Mark Ilgen; Rebecca Cunningham; Maureen A Walton Journal: J Behav Med Date: 2019-08-01
Authors: Nicholas D Caputo; Christopher P Shields; Cesar Ochoa; Jennifer Matarlo; Mark Leber; Robert Madlinger; Muhammed Waseem Journal: West J Emerg Med Date: 2012-05