Violence-related injury and intimate partner violence in an urban emergency department

Background: To facilitate the identification of ED patients at risk for intimate partner violence (IPV), we assessed the relationship of acute violence-related injury and history of IPV victimization or perpetration. Methods: This cross-sectional study systematically sampled patients presenting to an urban ED. Reason for visit, past year history of IPV victimization and perpetration, alcohol and drug use and abuse, and sociodemographic factors were assessed. We hypothesized that violence-related injury would be positively associated with a history of IPV victimization and with IPV perpetration. Results: The odds of violence-related injury was increased three-fold among persons with a history of IPV victimization and nearly two-fold (although not statistically significant) among those with IPV perpetration history. Male gender, younger age, and problem drinking were independent risk factors in both models. Conclusion: Screening for IPV among individuals presenting with a violence-related injury may be helpful in identifying individuals at risk of partner violence.