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Affiliation
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Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Injury Science Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. |
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Abstract
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AIMS: This study estimated, with high spatial and temporal specificity, individuals' risk of being assaulted relative to their momentary proximity to alcohol outlets during daily activities.
DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. PARTICIPANTS: Cases were 194 non-gun assault victims and 135 gun assault victims aged between 10 and 24 years. Age-matched controls (n = 274) were selected using random-digit dialing. MEASUREMENTS: Participants described minute-by-minute movements (i.e. activity paths) over the course of the day of the assault (cases) or a recent randomly selected day within three days of interview (controls). The dependent measure was being an assault case compared with a non-assault control. The main independent measures were participants' momentary proximity to alcohol outlets. The units of analysis were 10-minute segments.
FINDINGS: Proximity to bars and restaurants was associated with decreased odds of non-gun assault before 1 pm (e.g. 7 am to 9:59 pm: OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.94; p = 0.008), and increased odds after 7 pm (e.g. 1 am to 3:59 am: OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.24, 3.09; p = 0.004). Proximity to beer stores was associated with increased odds before 1 pm (e.g. 7 am to 9:59 am: OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.58, 3.46; p = < 0.001) and from 4 pm to 6:59 pm (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.96; p = 0.004), but decreased odds after 7 pm (e.g. 1 am to 3:59 am: OR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.63; p = 0.002). Proximity to alcohol outlets was mostly unrelated to risks for gun assault.
CONCLUSIONS: Individuals in areas with greater densities of bars and restaurants and beer stores appear to be increased risk for non-gun assault at times when these outlets are likely to be most heavily patronized.
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Language: en |