Correlates of violent assault among young male primary care patients

Correlates of violent assault (defined here as having been shot, stabbed, s hot at, or beaten) were identified among young male primary care patients. Data were analyzed from a cohort of young men ages 17 to 29 during their in itial visits to an urban primary care facility. Each underwent a clinical a ssessment, including a self-report health inventory and provider history. I n multivariable analysis, history of incarceration (odds ratio [OR] = 6.29, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 2.34-16.89), having children (OR = 3. 06, 95 percent CI, 1.30-7.17), and a high school education or less (OR = 0. 69, 95 percent CI, 0.50-0.96) were significantly associated with increased likelihood of violent assault. Patients reporting more serious traumatic ex periences, such as incarceration, witnessing violence, or carrying a weapon , had the highest risk (OR = 9.92, 95 percent CI, 4.0-24.57). These finding s may help primary care physicians identify young men at risk for violence and foster better interventions.