Katherine A Muldoon1, Kathryn M Denize2, Robert Talarico2, Deshayne B Fell3,4, Agnes Sobiesiak2, Melissa Heimerl5, Kari Sampsel2,6. 1. Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H-8L6, Canada. kmuldoon@ohri.ca. 2. Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H-8L6, Canada. 3. School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 4. Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 5. Ottawa Victims Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 6. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital and University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is little information on care-seeking patterns for sexual assault and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to examine the changes in emergency department (ED) admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. METHODS: Observational ED admissions data from The Ottawa Hospital were analyzed from March 4 to May 5 (62 days) in 2020 (COVID-19 period) and compared to the same period in 2018 (pre-COVID-19). Total and mean weekly admissions were calculated for all-cause ED admissions and for sexual and domestic violence cases. A Poisson regression (without offset term) was used to calculate the weekly case count ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between the two time periods. Case characteristics were compared using chi-square tests, and percent differences were calculated. RESULTS: Compared to pre-COVID-19, total ED admissions dropped by 1111.22 cases per week (32.9% reduction), and the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program cases dropped 4.66 cases per week. The weekly case count ratio for sexual assault cases was 0.47 (95% CI 0.79-0.27), equivalent of 53.49% reduction in cases, and 0.52 (95% CI 0.93-0.29), equivalent to a 48.45% reduction in physical assault cases. The characteristics of presenting cases were similar by age (median 25 years), sex (88.57% female), assault type (57.14% sexual assault, 48.57% physical assault), and location (31.43% patient's home, 40.00% assailant's home). There was a significant increase in psychological abuse (11.69% vs 28.57%) and assaults occurring outdoors (5.19% vs 22.86%). CONCLUSION: This study found a decrease in ED admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence during COVID-19, despite societal conditions that elevate risk of violence. Trends in care-seeking and assault patterns will require ongoing monitoring to inform the provision of optimal support for individuals experiencing violence, particularly as countries begin to re-open or lock-down again.
BACKGROUND: There is little information on care-seeking patterns for sexual assault and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to examine the changes in emergency department (ED) admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. METHODS: Observational ED admissions data from The Ottawa Hospital were analyzed from March 4 to May 5 (62 days) in 2020 (COVID-19 period) and compared to the same period in 2018 (pre-COVID-19). Total and mean weekly admissions were calculated for all-cause ED admissions and for sexual and domestic violence cases. A Poisson regression (without offset term) was used to calculate the weekly case count ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between the two time periods. Case characteristics were compared using chi-square tests, and percent differences were calculated. RESULTS: Compared to pre-COVID-19, total ED admissions dropped by 1111.22 cases per week (32.9% reduction), and the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program cases dropped 4.66 cases per week. The weekly case count ratio for sexual assault cases was 0.47 (95% CI 0.79-0.27), equivalent of 53.49% reduction in cases, and 0.52 (95% CI 0.93-0.29), equivalent to a 48.45% reduction in physical assault cases. The characteristics of presenting cases were similar by age (median 25 years), sex (88.57% female), assault type (57.14% sexual assault, 48.57% physical assault), and location (31.43% patient's home, 40.00% assailant's home). There was a significant increase in psychological abuse (11.69% vs 28.57%) and assaults occurring outdoors (5.19% vs 22.86%). CONCLUSION: This study found a decrease in ED admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence during COVID-19, despite societal conditions that elevate risk of violence. Trends in care-seeking and assault patterns will require ongoing monitoring to inform the provision of optimal support for individuals experiencing violence, particularly as countries begin to re-open or lock-down again.
Authors: Belén Sanz-Barbero; Carme Saurina; Laura Serra; Gemma Renart Vicens; Laura Vall-Llosera Casanovas; Laura Otero-García; María José López; Glòria Perez; Carmen Vives-Cases Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-11-29 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Katherine A Muldoon; Kathryn M Denize; Robert Talarico; Carlie Boisvert; Olivia Frank; Alysha L J Harvey; Ruth Rennicks White; Deshayne B Fell; Meagan Ann O'Hare-Gordon; Yanfang Guo; Malia S Q Murphy; Daniel J Corsi; Kari Sampsel; Shi Wu Wen; Mark C Walker; Darine El-Chaar Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-05-27 Impact factor: 2.692