Sonica Singhal1, Sarah Orr2, Harkirat Singh2, Menaka Shanmuganantha2, Heather Manson2. 1. Health Promotion, Chronic Disease, and Injury Prevention Department, Public Health Ontario, 480 University Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V2, Canada. sonica.singhal@oahpp.ca. 2. Health Promotion, Chronic Disease, and Injury Prevention Department, Public Health Ontario, 480 University Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V2, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hospitals' emergency rooms (ERs) are generally the first point of contact of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) victims to the health care system. For efficient management and resource allocation for ERs to manage DVA-related emergencies in Canada, it is important to quantify and assess the pattern of these visits. METHODS: Aggregate DVA-related ER visits data, using relevant ICD-10-CA codes, from 2012 to 2016 were retrieved from IntelliHealth Ontario. The 2011 ON-Marg (Ontario Marginalization) indices were linked at the Dissemination Area level to ER data. Descriptive analyses including total number and rate of visits per 100,000 people were calculated, stratified by age and sex. The Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII) were also assessed. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2016, 10,935 (81.2% by females and 18.8% by males) DVA-related visits were made to ERs in Ontario. An annual average of 25.5 visits per 100,000 females and 6.1 visits per 100,000 males was observed. Residential instability and deprivation were significant predictors of DVA-related ER visits. No particular site of injury was indicated in 38.5% of visits, 24.7% presented with cranio-maxillofacial (CMF) trauma in isolation, 28.9% presented with non-CMF injuries, and 7.9% visits presented with both CMF and non-CMF injuries. CONCLUSION: This study identified that the burden of DVA-related ER visits is large enough to warrant timely public health interventions, and observed that certain populations in Ontario experience more DVA and/or are more prone to its impact. Our findings have important implications for various stakeholders involved in planning and implementing relevant policies and programs.
BACKGROUND: Hospitals' emergency rooms (ERs) are generally the first point of contact of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) victims to the health care system. For efficient management and resource allocation for ERs to manage DVA-related emergencies in Canada, it is important to quantify and assess the pattern of these visits. METHODS: Aggregate DVA-related ER visits data, using relevant ICD-10-CA codes, from 2012 to 2016 were retrieved from IntelliHealth Ontario. The 2011 ON-Marg (Ontario Marginalization) indices were linked at the Dissemination Area level to ER data. Descriptive analyses including total number and rate of visits per 100,000 people were calculated, stratified by age and sex. The Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII) were also assessed. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2016, 10,935 (81.2% by females and 18.8% by males) DVA-related visits were made to ERs in Ontario. An annual average of 25.5 visits per 100,000 females and 6.1 visits per 100,000 males was observed. Residential instability and deprivation were significant predictors of DVA-related ER visits. No particular site of injury was indicated in 38.5% of visits, 24.7% presented with cranio-maxillofacial (CMF) trauma in isolation, 28.9% presented with non-CMF injuries, and 7.9% visits presented with both CMF and non-CMF injuries. CONCLUSION: This study identified that the burden of DVA-related ER visits is large enough to warrant timely public health interventions, and observed that certain populations in Ontario experience more DVA and/or are more prone to its impact. Our findings have important implications for various stakeholders involved in planning and implementing relevant policies and programs.
Entities:
Keywords:
Child abuse and neglect; Domestic violence and abuse; Elder abuse and neglect; Emergency room visits; Intimate partner violence; Public health
Authors: Heather T Keenan; Desmond K Runyan; Stephen W Marshall; Mary Alice Nocera; David F Merten; Sara H Sinal Journal: JAMA Date: 2003-08-06 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Maria Gabriella Melchiorre; Carlos Chiatti; Giovanni Lamura; Francisco Torres-Gonzales; Mindaugas Stankunas; Jutta Lindert; Elisabeth Ioannidi-Kapolou; Henrique Barros; Gloria Macassa; Joaquim F J Soares Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-01-30 Impact factor: 3.240