Chemical assaults in Hong Kong: a 10-year review.
The aim of this study was to assess the patients admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital Burns Unit, Hong Kong between September 1991 and August 2001 following chemical assault. A total of 2319 burns were admitted during the study period of which 19 had been subjected to chemical assault. All victims sustained a burn injury to the head and neck area and 47% of victims' eyes were burnt. A total of 84% required surgical intervention. Where a reason for the attack was admitted most were due to relationship difficulties. This study has defined the victims of chemical assault in Hong Kong. At a time when the overall number of assaults in Hong Kong is at its lowest level for 5 years it is of concern that there appears to have been a recent increase in the number of chemical assaults in Hong Kong.
Young
R C
RC
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Ho
W S
WS
Ying
S Y
SY
Burd
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002053:Burn Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*