Interpersonal violence: patterns in a Basotho community.

This study examined patterns of interpersonal violence in rural Quthing district Lesotho over 1 year during 1988-89. Data were obtained from interviews with 321 male and 185 female clients with assault trauma at Quthing District Hospital. Clients ranged in age from 11 to 87 years. 40.9% of men and 25.7% of all clients involved young men aged 20-29 years. 62% of males and 82% of females were married. 46% of men were unemployed. 87% of the women were housewives without a paid job. 77 clients were prior assault victims; 23 men and 13 women were perpetrators before this incident; and 2 men and 1 woman had killed someone. 8% of 500 clients had female assailants; 89% had male assailants. 156 clients were assaulted by more than 1 person. 30% had assailants who were close neighbors. In 40% of female cases the assailant was a husband or partner (26%) or family relative (14%). Men were assaulted by their partners or relatives in 17% of cases. Most attacks occurred in the evening especially on weekends and Saturdays. Attacks were high in the months of October and November. 58% were treated on the same day or within 24 hours. At least 185 incidents involved alcohol. 30% admitted to drunkenness. Most fights started as trivial quarrels. 56% of clients were assaulted with sticks. The second most common weapon was a knife followed by stones and blows from hands and feet. Most women assailants were unarmed. 41% of all cases had head wounds and 13% had stab wounds. Women had fewer head wounds and fractures. 42 men and 6 women died (44/100000) many with head injuries.