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The feasibility of screening for violence in the pediatric emergency department
Kyle T Finnegan1, Steven C Rogers, Kevin Borrup
1University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA.
Background:
Youth violence is a significant public health concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of violence screening tools in a pediatric emergency department (PED).
Methods:
Children between eight and 17 years presenting to the PED were prospectively enrolled. Two questionnaires were administered: Violence Prevention Emergency Tool (VPET) and Violence Exposure Scale for Children (VEX).
Results:
One hundred children were enrolled: mean age was 12.9 years (SD 2.8), 42% girls, 48% Hispanic, and 13% African-American. Mean time to complete VPET was 9.0 minutes and VEX 4.9 minutes. Ease of understanding between VPET and VEX were 74% vs 92% (interviewer) and 74% vs 93%, (subjects) both P < 0.05. The number of repeated items was significantly less for VEX compared to VPET, 1% vs 6% (P < 0.01).
Conclusion:
It may be feasible to screen for exposure to violence in the PED. VEX is a more feasible screening tool compared to VPET.
