Jornal Internacional de Saúde Pública e Segurança

Climatic Effects on the Incidence of Interpersonal Maxillofacial Trauma

Abstract

Thomas J, Lynham A, Scott Borgna, Jones L, Vasani S

Introduction and Aims: The relationship between interpersonal violence and weather has been described in international studies. This study compared the daily incidence of interpersonal maxillofacial trauma in Brisbane over a 1 year period with respect to local weather conditions and temporal factors, such as weekends and public holidays.

Design and Methods: The cases included in the study were Brisbane residents with maxillofacial trauma who presented to the maxillofacial surgery clinic at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after being assaulted. The daily maximum and minimum temperatures, rainfall, and solar exposure were recorded at the Brisbane weather station, and this data was used in Poisson regression analyses with respect to trauma data, weekends, and public holidays.

Results: 389 assaults resulting in maxillofacial trauma were identified over the 12-month period, with 89.7% of the patients being male. The number of assault cases was found to be associated with weekends and public holidays (p<0.001 and <0.05 respectively). With regards to weather conditions, there was a significant positive association between assault cases and rain, and also with daily solar exposure (p<0.05).

Discussion and Conclusions: The significant associations between assault and weather and temporal factors in Brisbane are consistent with international behavioural theories on crime and violence. These findings are relevant to the Australian Police Force and hospital emergency departments with regards to the efficient use of resources in response to interpersonal violence.