Abstract

Introduction: Interpersonal assaults (IA) are commonly seen in our environment. The aim of this study was to document the injury patterns following IA.

Materials and Methods: This is a review of all the IA cases seen and examined at the police clinic, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Results: A total of 426 people were assaulted during the period, comprising 246 males and 180 females in a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. Age groups 30-39 years and 20-29 years accounted for 70.4% of cases. About 41.3% of victims had secondary level of education while 71.1% of the victims were self employed. Eighty two point four percent of the assaults occurred during the day time. In 33.5% and 10.3% of the assaults, the assailant was either one male or one female respectively. Bruises/haematomas/abrasions were the commonest injuries seen (59.4%), while incised/stab wounds and lacerations accounted for 17.6% and 15.7% respectively. The most severe injury seen was a case of quadriplegia (0.2%). The commonly used instruments of assault were; fist (22.9%), wood (22.6%), human bite (16%), cutlass/machete (12.6%) and broken bottle (11.2%). The head/face/neck region accounted for 57.1% of cases, while upper limb and lower limb each accounted for 27.6% and 17.7% of injury sites respectively.

Conclusion: Body parts were more commonly used in IA and the injuries were usually mild and not life threatening.