The nature of interpersonal violence in Jamaica and its strain on the national health system.

A random prospective study of 640 victims (76.6% in the 15-39-year-old age group) of interpersonal violence (IPV) at the Kingston Public Hospital was conducted over three months. About 87.5% of the aggression on males and 74.5% on females was committed by males. However, there was more female/female than female/male violence. Weapons used ranged from guns to a variety of cooking wares, though knives were used most frequently (34.8%) for stabbing 48% of the victims. Head, neck and upper limb were the main sites of injury; only 13.4% of all the injured had complications, and 63% of these required hospitalization. Family members and acquaintances contributed to about 84% of the violence. Instinctive spontaneous aggression aimed at maiming the victim characterizes IPV in Jamaica. The Jamaican taxpayer bears 90-94% of the cost of managing trauma injuries. These costs should be recovered from the assailants, even in the form of blood donations and community service.