The nature of interpersonal violence in Jamaica and its strain on the national health system

ABSTRACT

A random prospective study of 640 victims (76.6 per cent in the 15-39-year-old age group) of interpersonal violence (IPV) at the Kingston Public Hospital was conducted over three months. About 87.5 per cent of the aggression on males and 74.5 per cent on females was committed by males. However, there was more female/female than female/male violence. Weapons used ranged from guns to a variety of cooking wares, though knives were used most frequently (34.8 per cent ) for stabbing 48 per cent of the victims. Head, neck and upper limb were the main sites of injury; only 13.4 per cent of all the injured had complications, and 63 per cent of these required hospitalization. Family members and acquaintances contributed to about 84 per cent of the violence. Instinctive spontaneous aggression aimed at maiming the victim characterizes IPV in Jamaica. The Jamaican taxpayer bears 90-94 per cent of the cost of managing trauma injuries. These costs should be recovered from the assailants, even in the form of blood donations and community service.