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Firearm and nonfirearm homicide in 5 South African cities: A retrospective population-based study

Author

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  • Matzopoulos, R.G.
  • Thompson, M.L.
  • Myers, J.E.

Abstract

Objective. We assessed the effectiveness of South Africa's Firearm Control Act (FCA), passed in 2000, on firearmhomicide rates compared with rates of nonfirearm homicide across 5 South African cities from 2001 to 2005. Methods. We conducted a retrospective population-based study of 37 067 firearm and nonfirearm homicide cases. Generalized linear models helped estimate and compare time trends of firearm and nonfirearm homicides, adjusting for age, sex, race, day of week, city, year of death, and population size. Results. There was a statistically significant decreasing trend regarding firearm homicides from 2001, with an adjusted year-on-year homicide rate ratio of 0.864 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.848, 0.880), representing a decrease of 13.6% per annum. The year-on-year decrease in nonfirearm homicide rates was also significant, but considerably lower at 0.976 (95% CI = 0.954, 0.997). Results suggest that 4585 (95% CI = 4427, 4723) lives were saved across 5 cities from 2001 to 2005 because of the FCA. Conclusions. Strength, timing and consistent decline suggest stricter gun control mediated by the FCA accounted for a significant decrease in homicide overall, and firearm homicide in particular, during the study period.

Suggested Citation

  • Matzopoulos, R.G. & Thompson, M.L. & Myers, J.E., 2014. "Firearm and nonfirearm homicide in 5 South African cities: A retrospective population-based study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(3), pages 455-460.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.310650_1
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.310650
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    Cited by:

    1. Matzopoulos, Richard & Bloch, Kim & Lloyd, Sam & Berens, Chris & Bowman, Brett & Myers, Jonny & Thompson, Mary Lou, 2020. "Urban upgrading and levels of interpersonal violence in Cape Town, South Africa: The violence prevention through urban upgrading programme," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).

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