Description of Hospital Youth Violence Prevention Program in a level 1 Latin American trauma hospital: beyond physical trauma care

Abstract

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) for the prevention of 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 period of 5 years, 290 young people between 13 and 29 years old, average age 20 years, 93% of them male, 75% had low schooling and 89% with dysfunctional families entered the TCV-HUV Registry. The reentry rate dropped from 40% to 10%, death rates from 20% to 3% and recidivism in delinquent activities dropped from 50% before the program to 10% for the years 2019 and 2023 respectively. Conclusions: 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.