The Patterns of Injuries Caused by Interpersonal Violence among Cases Referred to Kerman Legal Medicine Organization during ۲۰۱۱ to ۲۰۱۳

Background: Violence makes a wide range of physical and mental problems and can cause serious injuries and even death.This study aimed to assess epidemiologic patterns of injuries caused by interpersonal violence among cases referred to Kerman Legal Medicine Organization during Sep ۲۰۱۱ to Sep ۲۰۱۳.   Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۴۳۱ cases of interpersonal violence referred to Kerman Legal Medicine Organization during Sep ۲۰۱۱ to Sep ۲۰۱۳ were studied. Demographic data, type of violence and injury were recorded. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and through SPSS۱۹.   Results: The majority of subjects (۶۲.۲%) were male with a mean age of ۳۱.۷۸ ± ۱۱.۷۷ years. The most common (۵۱.۷%) injury was bruise. Scratches, abrasion and dental damage were significantly higher in men (P=۰.۰۲, ۰.۰۰۱, ۰.۰۰۶ respectively). Bruises and pain without apparent effects were higher in women (P=۰.۰۲). The most frequent site of injury was head and neck (۶۹.۶%) and the least was the genital area (۱.۶%). Chest injuries were significantly more frequent in men (P=۰.۰۰۸), while upper limb injuries were more frequent in women (P=۰.۰۱).   Conclusion: Injuries caused by interpersonal violence were of higher frequency and severity among young men. Since the economic and social burden of these injuries on individuals, families, and the society is considerable, preventive strategies should be considered in health planning.