Variations in admissions to hospital for head injury and assault to the head - Part 1: age and gender

The study retrospectively investigated variations in the use of secondary h ealthcare for head injury, particularly assault. A total of 25 300 emergenc y head-related admission were examined over a two-year period, of which 375 6 were for assault. More males were admitted during summer and holiday periods, while there wer e fewer female patients with head injuries and the incidence varied less, T he largest number of admissions was among men aged 15-44 and most assaults occurred at weekends. Females were more likely than males to die from all h ead injuries (OR=1.31) and violent head injuries (OR=2.38). Women (15+) sta yed longer in hospital than males. Injuries among males ape primarily associated with social occasions. Female s experience head injuries all the year round suggesting that these injurie s are the result of domestic violence, There are important demographic diff erences in numbers of patients and duration of hospital care required to tr eat these avoidable injuries.