Interpersonal violence and traumatic brain injuries among Native Americans and women

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the odds of experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of interpersonal violence (IPV) among Native Americans compared to other races controlling for gender, age, socioeconomic status, rurality and intoxication at the time of the injury.

Methods: A secondary data analysis of the Arizona Trauma Database consisting of 18 944 cases of TBI between 2008–2010 throughout the state of Arizona was conducted. There were 312 patients who experienced injuries caused by IPV in the sample. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, bivariate analyses and a logistic regression model were used for analyses.

Results: The logistic regression model found that Native Americans (OR = 1.15), patients from the other race category (OR = 1.18), females (OR = 1.35) and those who were insured (OR = 1.26) had higher odds of experiencing a TBI as a result of IPV. Rurality and intoxication were mediators of the correlation between Native American race and TBI as a result of IPV.

Conclusions: Native Americans are more likely than Whites and females are more likely than males to experience TBIs as a result of IPV.

• Brain injury
• interpersonal violence
• Native American
• rural

Acknowledgements

The de-identified data used in this analysis were provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Emergency Medical Systems and Trauma System.

Declaration of interest

The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of the paper.