Objective

To determine the epidemiological profile of firearm related injuries among children and adolescents in Cape Town during recent years in order to further understand the epidemic of firearm violence as a public health problem in South Africa.

Design

A retrospective study was conducted of hospital, medico-Iegal laboratory (mortuary) and police data.

Setting

Metropolitan Cape Town, 1 January 1992 – 31 December 1996.

Study Population

All children and adolescents (under 19 years of age) with firearm injuries living in the Cape Town metropole during the study period.

Results

During the study period at least 1 736 children and adolescents were victims of firearm-related incidents; of these, 322 died (19%). The incidence of firearm injuries among this group almost tripled from 20.2/100 000 in 1992 to 58.1/100 000 in 1996. The firearm mortality rate also almost tripled during the period under review from 3.8/100 000 in 1992 to 10.3/100000 in 1996. Approximately 60% of victims were coloured males, with 86% between 13 and 18 years of age. Twenty-one per cent of all victims aged over 12 years who died were intoxicated. Other characteristics of the victims and the circumstances surrounding the incidents are presented.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate the escalating epidemic of firearm-related injuries and deaths among children and adolescents in Cape Town. In addition, the study indicates the need for an integrated injury and death reporting system. Further research is needed to understand firearm-related injuries among children and adolescents in South Africa, and to develop policies and programmes for prevention that are effective in this setting