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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Gabriel E. Ryb, MD, MPH, Patricia C. Dischinger, PhD, and Carl Soderstrom, MD. National Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 701 West Pratt Street, Fifth Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201, 301 618 3856, gabyryb@pol.net

Objective: To identify potential risk factors associated with different age groups among trauma center fall patients.

Methods: Trauma center fall patients were assessed for substance use diagnoses, demographics, SES, impulsivity, sensation seeking, prior injury history, smoking, binge drinking, seat belt use and drinking and driving. Student's t test and chi2 statistics (alpha=0.05) were used to compare age groups in relation to the assessed factors.

Results: Fall patients (n=160) were 71% male, Caucasian, 63% not married, 25% uninsured, 31% had less than a high-school education, 15% were unemployed and 41% had a low income. Their prevalence for smoking, monthly binging, alcohol dependence and drug dependence was 54%, 46%, 23% and 11% respectively. Self-reported drinking and driving during the previous month and infrequent seatbelt use were 9% and 36% respectively. Fifty-nine percent were <45, 26% were 45-65 and 16% were >65 years old. The three age groups did not differ in relation to ethnicity, unemployment, educational achievement, income, alcohol dependence, positive alcohol toxicology, drinking and driving, seatbelt use, prior motor vehicular injury and prior assault. The youngest group was more likely to be single and uninsured, to binge and smoke, and have a drug dependence diagnosis. They also scored higher for sensation seeking and impulsivity. The middle age group had a higher prevalence of prior falls or work or recreational injuries.

Conclusion: Falls admitted to a trauma center occur mostly among males younger than 45 years old. These patients' behaviors typically include frequent binge drinking, smoking, drug use, impulsivity and sensation seeking.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the age distribution of trauma center falls.
• Identify the behavioral characteristics of each age group.
• Prioritize the characteristics that could be targeted for injury prevention programs.

Keywords: Injury, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered