Description of Hospital Youth Violence Prevention Program in a level 1 Latin American trauma hospital Beyond physical trauma care
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Background
Youth hospitalized for violence-related injuries remain at high risk of rehospitalization and death from subsequent violent events. This study describes the results of the first hospital-based intervention program (HVIP) to prevent youth violence in Colombia.
Methods
Data were obtained from the prospective registry of the Transforming the Circle of Violence (TCV) Program at a high-complexity university hospital. The registry includes young people who survived trauma-related injuries and were admitted to the Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) during hospitalization. Data were collected between May 1, 2018, and June 30, 2023, and included demographic and outcome variables. The program is attended by a multidisciplinary team of psychological, emotional and spiritual support, and once they leave the hospital, the support continues, including school support and personal development.
Results
In a 5-year period, 290 young people aged 13-29, with an average age of 20, 93% male, 75% with low schooling, and 89% from dysfunctional families, entered the TCV-HUV Registry. The reentry rate dropped from 40% to 10%, the death rate from 20% to 3%, and recidivism in delinquent activities dropped from 50% before the program to 10% in 2019 and 2023, respectively.
Conclusion
The HVIP implemented at HUV in Cali, Colombia, appears to reduce the risk of readmission and death from new violence-related injuries, and to decrease recidivism in violent or criminal activities among young people hospitalized for interpersonal violence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II - III.
- Interpersonal violence
- readmission
- Programa de Prevención de Violencia Juvenil del Hospital Universitario del Valle TCV-HUV
- Adolescent
Adolfo Gonzáles Hadad, Trauma and Emergency Surgeon
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5862-4906
Hospital Universitario del Valle Evaristo García, Trauma and Emergency Surgeon.
Universidad del Valle, Professor of General Surgery and Trauma and Emergencies.
Marisol Badiel, Hospital Universitario del Valle Evaristo García.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2644-9319
Hospital Universitario del Valle Evaristo García.
Jaime Arley González Arias , Universidad del Valle
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4925-8189
Universidad del Valle
Mario Alain Herrera , Universidad del Valle
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4526-7636
Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
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