An Epidemiological Overview of Patients Presenting With Physical Assault at the Emergency Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation,guyana From 2018 to 2022
Introduction
Physical assault contributes significantly to the health burden in the Caribbean and Latin
America. Despite the availability of trauma registry data at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
(GPHC), few regional studies have analyzed the epidemiology of physical assault and its impact on
healthcare systems. This study provides a five-year review of the prevalence, epidemiological trends, and
outcomes of patients presenting with physical assault at GPHC.
Objectives
1. To evaluate the annual and cumulative prevalence of physical assault cases
at GPHC from 2018 to 2022.
2. To describe epidemiological trends by demographics, mechanism of
injury, and acuity of presentation.
3. To evaluate discharge and admission proportions.
Method
A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using GPHC’s trauma registry. Data from
2018 to 2022 on assaults, stabbings, and gunshot wounds were extracted, including patient
demographics, mechanism and acuity of injury, and hospital disposition. Data were analyzed using
Microsoft Excel and SPSS.
Results
A total of 8,606 physical assault cases were recorded with annual prevalence
ranging from 27-29 percent and cumulative prevalence of 29.06%. The 21–25-year age group was
most affected (1,531 cases), and males accounted for 6,810 cases. Blunt-force trauma predominated
(7,250 cases). Most patients were of African descent (4,603 cases) and classified as urgent (7,073 cases).
Of these, 1,877 were admitted, 8,414 discharged, and 160 deaths recorded.
Conclusion
Physical assault poses a significant burden at GPHC, with a cumulative
prevalence of 29.06%. Young males (16–35 years) and blunt-force injuries dominated the caseload, with
the majority requiring urgent care.