Preventing recurring injuries from violence: the risk of assault among Cleveland youth after hospitalization.
OBJECTIVE
Although interpersonal violence has increased among urban youth, its epidemiology remains unclear. To prevent such violence, identifying the susceptible population is important.


METHODS
Medical records for 998 patients aged 5 to 25 years at an urban hospital were reviewed to compare data for patients admitted for assault-related injuries, those admitted for unintentional injuries, and those for problems other than injuries.


RESULTS
Those initially admitted for treatment of assault were found to be at greater risk of subsequent treatment for assault than those admitted for noninjuries.


CONCLUSIONS
Admission for injuries caused by violence may increase risk for future assaults; hospitalization may offer an opportunity to interrupt these patterns.
Center for Adolescent Health, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
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Litacker
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012306:Risk; D014504:Urban Health; D014754:Violence; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*