Abstract:
Background: Interpersonal violence has devastating consequences for the mental, physical and sexual
health of the victim. It is a leading cause of injury in east Africa. Studies in Ethiopia report that the most
common cause of injury was interpersonal conflict. Our objective was to study the incidence of interpersonal violence related injury and associated factors among patients visiting the emergency department
of University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods:A cross-sectional institutional based study design was employed from November 2013–June
2014. The source population was a cohort sample of all patients presenting for treatment of a traumatic
injury. Data were collected using injury surveillance guidelines developed by the World Health Organization. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify the presence and strength
of association. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance.
Results: The overall incidence of interpersonal violence related injury was 28.5% of all emergency department trauma patients. Multivariate logistic regression shows that conflict in the family prior to the
event [AOR=9.9 (95% CI: 4.433–9.536)], poor behavioral control [AOR=2.5 (95% CI: 1.192–5.460)], alcohol
use [AOR=3.406 (95% CI: 1.813–6.398)] and paternal education [AOR=2.441(95% CI: 1.209–4.929)] were
found to be independently associated with interpersonal violence related injury.
Conclusion and recommendation: The incidence of interpersonal violence related injury was high. Counseling and education on conflict resolution methods should be given for the community using mass media.
