Trends in Homicide Hospitalization and Mortality in Taiwan, 1998–2015

Shih-Chun Hsing, Chu-Chieh Chen, Shi-Hao Huang, Yao-Ching Huang, Bing-Long Wang, Chi-Hsiang Chung, Chien-An Sun, Wu-Chien Chien and Gwo-Jang Wu
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Shih-Chun Hsing: Center for Healthcare Quality Management, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei 11220, Taiwan
Chu-Chieh Chen: Department of Health Care Management, College of Health Technology, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei 11220, Taiwan
Shi-Hao Huang: Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech), Taipei 10608, Taiwan
Yao-Ching Huang: Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech), Taipei 10608, Taiwan
Bing-Long Wang: School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Chi-Hsiang Chung: Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Chien-An Sun: Big Data Research Center, College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242062, Taiwan
Wu-Chien Chien: Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
Gwo-Jang Wu: Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: In Taiwan, the national research on homicide is rare, mostly discussing the issue of child abuse. We sought to better understand the characteristics and risk factors of homicide through a retrospective cohort study from 1998 to 2015. “Child battering and other maltreatment” ranked first for the 0–4 age group and second for the 5–14 age group. The hospital mortality was 511 deaths. We found that the 25–44 age group had the highest risk and accounted for 44.76% of hospitalization. The most common causes were “fight, brawl, and rape” (49.12%), “cutting and piercing instruments,” (13.16%) and “child battering and other forms of maltreatment” (4.72%). Additionally, the percentages of “fight, brawl, and rape,” “firearms and explosives,” and “cutting and piercing instruments” were significantly higher among males than among females. The percentages of “hanging and strangulation,” “corrosive or caustic substance,” “child battering and other maltreatment,” “submersion,” and “poisoning” were significantly higher among females than males. Factors associated with homicide in-hospital mortality included gender, age, low income, catastrophic disease, Charlson comorbidity index score, urbanization level, hospital level, classification of hospitalization, and surgery. Overall, the trend of hospitalization rates due to homicide decreased both by gender and age group, except for the 0–4 age group: cause of homicide first, hanging and strangulation second, firearms and explosives third; type of injury, hospitalized patients with “vascular injuries” first, joint and muscle sprain, and intracranial, chest, and abdominal pelvic injuries second, and “burns” third with a higher risk of death. Homicide reduction requires a comprehensive strategy beyond specific victim groups. Interagency collaboration should be strengthened, especially between law enforcement/criminal justice and public health.

Keywords: homicide; epidemiology; hospitalized patient; national health insurance data (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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