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328134
Correlates of Alcohol-Related Unintentional Injury in Varsity Athletes


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Stacie Metz, PhD, MSW, MPH, MA, Department of Health, West Chester University, West Chester, PA
Kate Willner, MPH, Department of Health, West Chester University, West Chester, PA
James Brenner, PhD, CHES, ATC, Health, West Chester University, West Chester, PA
Background:

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 education
Epidemiology

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

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

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.