Universal screening for intimate partner and sexual violence in trauma patients-What about the men? An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Multicenter Trial

Tanya L. Zakrison, Rishi Rattan, Davel Milian Valdés, Xiomara Ruiz, Rondi Gelbard, John Cline, David Turay, Xian Luo-Owen, Nicholas Namias, Jessica George, Dante Yeh, Daniel Pust, Brian H. Williams

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND A recent Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma-supported multicenter trial demonstrated a similar rate of intimate partner and sexual violence (IPSV) between male and female trauma patients, regardless of mechanism. Our objective was to perform a subgroup analysis of our affected male cohort because this remains an understudied group in the trauma literature. METHODS We conducted a recent Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma-supported, cross-sectional, multicenter trial over one year (March 2015 to April 2016) involving four Level I trauma centers throughout the United States. We performed universal screening of adult trauma patients using the validated Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream and sexual violence screening surveys. Risk factors for male patients were identified. χ 2 Test compared categorical variables with significance at p values less than 0.05. Parametric data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS A total of 2,034 trauma patients were screened, of which 1,281 (63%) were men. Of this cohort, 119 (9.3%) men screened positive for intimate partner violence, 14.1% for IPSV, and 6.5% for sexual violence. On categorical analysis of the Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream screen, the proportion of men that were physically hurt was 4.8% compared to 4.3% for women (p = 0.896). A total of 4.8% of men screened positive for both IPSV. The total proportion of men who presented with any history of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or both (IPSV) was 15.8%. More men affected by penetrating trauma screened positive for IPSV (p < 0.00001). The IPSV positivity in men was associated with mental illness, substance abuse, and trauma recidivism. CONCLUSION One of every 20 men that present to trauma centers is a survivor of both IPSV, with one of every six men experiencing some form of violence. Men are at similar risk for physical abuse as women when this intimate partner violence occurs. The IPSV is associated with penetrating trauma in men. Support programs for this population may potentially impact associated mental illness, substance abuse, trauma recidivism, and even societal-level violence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiological study, level II.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)85-90
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
Volume85
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2018

Keywords

  • Intimate partner violence
  • men
  • sexual violence
  • trauma
  • universal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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