Correlates of Violent Assault Among Young Male Primary Care Patients

Correlates of violent assault (defined here as having been shot, stabbed, shot at, or beaten) were identified among young male primary care patients. Data were analyzed from a cohort of young men ages 17 to 29 during their initial visits to an urban primary care facility. Each underwent a clinical assessment, including a self-report health inventory and provider history. In multivariable analysis, history of incarceration (odds ratio [OR] = 6.29, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 2.34-16.89), having children (OR = 3.06, 95 percent CI, 1.30-7.17), and a high school education or less (OR = 0.69, 95 percent CI, 0.50-0.96) were significantly associated with increased likelihood of violent assault. Patients reporting more serious traumatic experiences, such as incarceration, witnessing violence, or carrying a weapon, had the highest risk (OR = 9.91, 95 percent CI, 4.0-24.57). These findings may help primary care physicians identify young men at risk for violence and foster better interventions.