Effect of war on weapon-related deaths in Croatian children and youth

Author: Mujkic A / Peek-Asa C / Young T / Rodin U
Publication: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Topics: Age Group Homicide International Suicide
Keywords: Children Croatia War Weapon-related deaths
Bibliographic information +

The authors identified trends in weapon-related deaths associated with the Homeland War (1991-1995) among children in Croatia. Compared with the period before the war, weapon-related homicide and suicide rates increased by more than 3-fold, and unintentional weapon-related deaths increased by more than 6-fold during the war. These increases persisted for 5 years following the end of the war and decreased more than 5 years after the war. Death rates from nonweapon causes did not increase during this period. Overall, 81.9% of the weapon-related deaths were caused by firearms and 18.1% were caused by explosive devices.