Epidemiological, Clinical, and Therapeutic Aspects of Victims of Intentional Assault and Injuries at the Regional Hospital Center of Dedougou

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Résumé

Introduction: The term assaults and battery primarily
refers to acts that harm the physical and psychological
integrity of a human being. These acts are considered
intentional when the perpetrator had the intent to
commit them.
Objective: To describe the injuries sustained by
victims of physical violence through intentional
assaults and battery.
Methodology: This was a descriptive observational
study with retrospective data collection over three
years. Sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic
data of patients who were victims of intentional
assaults and battery were analyzed.
Results: Seventy-three victims were recorded. Males
were predominant (46 men). The average age of the
injured was 32.7 years, and they were mostly farmers
(24 cases). These injuries occurred mainly at home
(41.1%) and in public spaces (35.6%). Blunt objects
(56.2%) and machetes (13.7%) were the main tools
causing the injuries. The circumstances surrounding
the occurrence of the injuries were mainly dominated
by brawls (53.5%). Upon admission, 156 injuries
were recorded, including 66 wounds and 22 fractures.
Nine injured individuals underwent debridement in
the operating room. Complications were mainly three
cases of joint stiffness, two surgical site infections,
and one case of malunion of the wrist. Two deaths
were noted.
Conclusion: Intentional bodily injuries are infrequent
in our region. They occur following assaults and
violent brawls involving the use of bladed weapons.
The injuries are sometimes severe and complex,
requiring surgical intervention.

Mots-clés

intentional bodily injuries, epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment.