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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Sudha R. Raman, BSc, William Pickett, PhD, and William Boyce, PhD. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Queen's University, Abramsky Hall, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada, 613 453 3743, 4sr3@qlink.queensu.ca

Adolescents with disabilities are at risk for poor health outcomes, however the causes and consequences of injury in this group are not known. The epidemiology of injuries experienced by adolescents with disabilities was profiled and compared with that for adolescents without disabilities. Methods: Results were based on a cross-sectional World Health Organization survey (2001/02 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Survey), administered to a representative sample of 7235 students (grades 6-10) from Canada. Adolescents who reported functional difficulties (such as difficulty seeing or hearing) due to a health condition were classified as having a disability. Primary outcomes were: 1) medically attended injury; injury that occurred in the last 12 months that required attention from a doctor or nurse, and 2) serious injury; injury that resulted in a) missing at least one day of school/usual activities, b) an operation, or c) an overnight hospital stay. Results: 16.3% (1107/6806) of adolescents reported a disability. Injuries at a sport facility or while playing sports were less common among adolescents with disabilities. Adolescents with disabilities were associated with a two-fold increase in the odds for medically attended injury and serious injury (Odds Ratios: 2.0-2.1± 0.4). Consistent and moderately strong significant associations were found between different types and severities of disability and the occurrence of both injury outcomes. Conclusions: Canadian adolescents who report disabilities experience higher risks for serious injuries compared with their peers, perhaps due an inability to perceive and avoid environmental hazards. Targeted injury prevention programs are needed among adolescents with disabilities.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will

• be able to identify the differences in injury risk between adolescents with and without disabilities in this sample
• be able to discuss the mechanisms that may alter the nature and consequences of injury in this vulnerable group

Keywords: Disability, Injury Risk

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered