Gang Members In The ED: What You Believe May Not Be True

Background/Purpose: 1. Assess ED staff beliefs regarding young adult ED patients and gang membership. 2. Identify the prevalence of gang members among urban dwelling ED patients ages 18-25.

Methods: Two-phase, cross sectional descriptive survey conducted 9/2007-9/2009 at an adult ED with >62,000 visits/yr in Washington, DC. 1: ED staff employed >1 yr were asked what percentage of ED patients (DC-residents, 18-25yo) were gang members and if patients would be comfortable revealing that information. 2: A convenience sample of non-critically ill, DC-residing ED patients aged 18-25 were surveyed for gang membership and associated behaviors.

Results/Outcomes: 1: N=56 staff members: Mean estimate of gang membership 23.4% (2-100%, sdev: 22.6). 17.9% had discussed gang membership with a patient; 59.6% believed patients would not reveal gang membership. 2: N=235 patients: 64.3% female, 58.1% Black. 94.9% were single but 26.6% had children. 19.0% with at least 1 arrest. 3.6% were gang members, 9.0% had friends in gangs. One person was still active in a gang. 100% gang members disclosed their gang's name. Members entered the gang between ages 12 and 16; 62.5% of gangsters were female and 100% were Black (p=0.026). All gangsters were in local “crews” ranging in size from 40-1000 members. 62.5% of gangsters were “very comfortable” with discussing gangs with providers.

Conclusions: ED staff beliefs about patients and gang membership were inaccurate. In this urban sample, few patients were gang members, but those who were members were forthcoming about their gang involvement. Further research on younger ED patients is warranted.