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Objective. This article describes the characteristics of violence-related injury (VRI) cases presenting at emergency departments (EDs) in Brazil and compares circumstances for assaultrelated and self-inflicted cases.Methods. The study is cross-sectional. The data describe cases seen in September 2006 in 62 EDs, representing all 26 states and the Federal District. A total of 4 835 case records were analyzed. Basic statistical tabulations were complemented by logistic regression analysis to assesspotential associations between type of violence (assault or self-harm) and multiple factors. Results. Males comprised 72.8% of cases while those aged 20 to 29 comprised 35.4%. Alcoholuse was reported or suspected in 42.7% of cases, more commonly among males. Assault victims comprised 91.4% of cases versus self-inflicted injuries, which accounted for 8.6%. Threefourthsof the assault victims were male, while over half of the self-inflicted injury victims were female. The leading mechanism for assaults was physical force/blunt objects (46.2%), whereaspoisoning was the predominant mechanism for self-inflicted injuries (71.4%). Younger females were significantly more likely to have been victims of self-inflicted injuries than younger males, while younger males were more likely to have been victims of assault; this finding is more pronouncedin cases where alcohol use was reported. Self-inflicted injuries were significantly more likely to occur in residences, while assaults were more likely to occur away from home. Conclusion. These results can improve understanding of the scope and characteristics of VRIs in Brazil (and thus contribute to national injury prevention efforts), and help identifyareas for future research.

Objetivos. Se describen las características de los casos de lesiones relacionadas con la violencia (LRV) que se presentan en los servicios de emergencia en Brasil y se comparanlas circunstancias de los casos relacionados con asaltos y los autoinfligidos. Métodos. En este estudio de corte transversal se describen los casos atendidos en septiembre de 2006 en 62 servicios de emergencia de 26 estados y el Distrito Federal. Se analizaron 4 835 casos por medio de tabulaciones estadísticas básicas y se evaluó mediante análisis de regresión logística la posible asociación entre los tipos de violencia (asalto o lesión autoinfligida) y diversos factores.Resultados. De los casos, 72,8% eran hombres y 35,4% tenían entre 20 y 29 años. Se informó o sospechó del consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en 42,7% de ellos, más frecuentementeen hombres. De los casos, 91,4% eran víctimas de asaltos y 8,6% de lesiones autoinfligidas. Tres cuartas partes de las víctimas de asaltos eran hombres y la mitad de las lesiones autoinfligidas fueron en mujeres. El principal mecanismo de asalto fue la fuerzafísica/objetos romos (46,2%), mientras que el veneno fue el mecanismo predominante en las lesiones autoinfligidas (71,4%). Las mujeres jóvenes presentaron una probabilidadsignificativamente mayor de haber sufrido lesiones autoinfligidas que los hombres jóvenes, mientras que estos tuvieron una mayor probabilidad de haber sido víctimas de asaltos, especialmente cuando se informó de consumo de alcohol. Las lesiones autoinfligidas tuvieron una probabilidad significativamente mayor de ocurrir en el hogar, mientras que los asaltos fueron más probables fuera de casa. Conclusiones. Estos resultados pueden ayudar a comprender mejor el alcance y las características de las LRV en Brasil —y así contribuir a los esfuerzos nacionales de prevención de lesiones— y a identificar nuevas áreas de investigación.

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RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the characteristics of violence-related injury (VRI) cases presenting at emergency departments (EDs) in Brazil and compares circumstances for assault-related and self-inflicted cases. METHODS: The study is cross-sectional. The data describe cases seen in September 2006 in 62 EDs, representing all 26 states and the Federal District. A total of 4 835 case records were analyzed. Basic statistical tabulations were complemented by logistic regression analysis to assess potential associations between type of violence (assault or self-harm) and multiple factors. RESULTS: Males comprised 72.8% of cases while those aged 20 to 29 comprised 35.4%. Alcohol use was reported or suspected in 42.7% of cases, more commonly among males. Assault victims comprised 91.4% of cases versus self-inflicted injuries, which accounted for 8.6%. Three-fourths of the assault victims were male, while over half of the self-inflicted injury victims were female. The leading mechanism for assaults was physical force/blunt objects (46.2%), whereas poisoning was the predominant mechanism for self-inflicted injuries (71.4%). Younger females were significantly more likely to have been victims of self-inflicted injuries than younger males, while younger males were more likely to have been victims of assault; this finding is more pronounced in cases where alcohol use was reported. Self-inflicted injuries were significantly more likely to occur in residences, while assaults were more likely to occur away from home. CONCLUSION: These results can improve understanding of the scope and characteristics of VRIs in Brazil (and thus contribute to national injury prevention efforts), and help identify areas for future research.

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