Sammanfattning
Introduction: Data collected from hospitals and the police have on several occasions proved to be useful in gaining knowledge about violence. The casualty departments, the Institute of Forensic Medicine, and the police in Aarhus have co-operated in three earlier studies of inter-person violence, the latest in 1993-1994. The aim of this study was to update knowledge about the incidence and character of violence in Aarhus. Material and methods: A dynamic cohort study was carried out in the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000. Persons who arrived at the casualty wards or Institute of Forensic Medicine after having been exposed to violence were registered and interviewed. Data from the police were also collected. All results were compared to corresponding data collected in 1981-1982, 1987-1988, and 1993-1994. Results: The number of victims decreased significantly to 1496. The annual incidence rate dropped to 4.6 victims/1000. This decrease in violence was particularly seen among 15-24-year-old males. The extent of violence against women remained unchanged in the years 1999-2000. Foreigners were significantly higher represented among the victims. The character and severity of the violence were unchanged. Discussion: Similar findings with an overall decrease in the incidence of violence and, at the same time, an increase in violence among foreigners have been reported in studies from Norway and Britain. Preventive action should be considered in the groups of 15-24-year-old males and foreigners.