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Correlates of Alcohol-Related Unintentional Injury in Varsity Athletes
Alcohol-related unintentional injury (ARUI) is an under-examined consequence of alcohol consumption in the college athlete population. This investigation is critical since no studies to date have explored ARUI risk factors in a nationally representative sample of undergraduate varsity athletes.
Methods:
A backwards-stepwise logistic regression was conducted on a sample of undergraduate varsity athletes who drank alcohol at least once in their lifetime from the Fall 2011 National College Health Assessment IIB survey data (n = 3012) to determine individual and institution factors increasing odds of reporting one or more ARUIs in the past 12 months.
Results:
Among the sample, the ARUI prevalence was 15.4%. Varsity athletes reporting at least one ARUI in the past 12 months (vs. athletes not reporting an ARUI) were more likely to report intramural sports participation, aOR = 1.40, 95%CI 1.10, 1.78, infrequent cigarette smoking, aOR = 1.70, 95%CI 1.31-2.23, and illegal drug use in past 30 days, aOR = 2.10, 95%CI 1.37-3.21. Moreover, alcohol consumption on 2-6 days per week, increased frequency of binge drinking, and never or only sometimes engaging in protective drinking behaviors (i.e., avoiding party games, pacing drinks, and using a designated driver) were statistically associated with increased odds of reporting one or more ARUIs in the past 12 months.
Conclusion:
Identifying factors influencing alcohol-related injury in varsity athletes will support campus interventions to achieve Healthy Campus 2020 goals regarding high-risk alcohol consumption and consequences. These findings will provide evidence to university health centers and athletic trainers to tailor prevention efforts.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health educationEpidemiology
Learning Objectives:
Identify the prevalence of alcohol-related unintentional injury in the varsity athlete population who reported drinking alcohol in their lifetime.
Describe what individual- and institution-level factors are statistically associated with increased odds of self-reported alcohol-related unintentional injury in varsity athletes.
Keyword(s): Alcohol Use, College Students
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been employed as a statistical analyst and program evaluation consultant for over 15 years. I teach community health and biostatistics undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Health since 2006. I also have published two previous peer-reviewed journal articles in the area of alcohol-related unintentional injury in the past year and have presented those findings at conferences.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.