Variations in admissions to hospital for head injury and assault to the head. Part 1: Age and gender.

The study retrospectively investigated variations in the use of secondary healthcare for head injury, particularly assault. A total of 25,300 emergency head-related admission were examined over a two-year period, of which 3756 were for assault. More males were admitted during summer and holiday periods, while there were fewer female patients with head injuries and the incidence varied less. The largest number of admissions was among men aged 15-44 and most assaults occurred at weekends. Females were more likely than males to die from all head injuries (OR=1.31) and violent head injuries (OR=2.38). Women (15+) stayed longer in hospital than males. Injuries among males are primarily associated with social occasions. Females experience head injuries all the year round suggesting that these injuries are the result of domestic violence. There are important demographic differences in numbers of patients and duration of hospital care required to treat these avoidable injuries.