Sports and recreational injuries: Regional Rural Injury Study-II. Impact on agricultural households and operations

Lori S. Kurszewski ¹, Susan Goodwin Gerberich ^1*, Robert C. Serfass ¹, Andrew D. Ryan ¹, Colleen M Renier ², Bruce H Alexander ¹, Kathleen Ferguson Carlson ¹ and Ann S. Masten ¹

¹ University of Minnesota, United States
² Division of Education and Research, St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic Health System, United States

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: gerbe001{at}umn.edu.

Accepted 9 February 2006

Abstract

Objectives To identify the incidence, severity, and potential risk factors for sports/recreational injuries incurred by children and adults in a five-state, rural Midwest agricultural household population.

Methods Computer-assisted telephone interviews that included questions regarding all injuries were completed for eligible, participating households for 1999; 16,538 persons participated, including 8,488 children less than 20 years of age (<20). Rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and causal models guided multivariate models.

Results Of 2,586 total injuries, 1,301 (50%) were non- agricultural activity-related. Among these, 733 (28%) were associated with sports/recreational activities including multiple-person sports (64%), general play activities (19%), and single-person sports (14%). The overall rate was 46.4 injury events per 1,000 persons per year. Rates for those <20 were 99.4 for males and 64.3 for females; for those 20+, rates were 11.9 for males and 4.8 for females. For those <20, 93% received health care, 44% were restricted 7+ days, and 18% lost agricultural work time 7+ days; proportions for those 20+ were 88%, 45%, and 17%, respectively. Results of multivariate analysis for those <20 were increased risks for Nebraska residents, males, and those10-14 or 15-19 years. For those 20+, increased risks were identified for males and those 20-24 years; decreased risks were observed for Nebraska residents and those 45-54 years.

Conclusions Sports/recreational activities are an important source of injury morbidity with relevant consequences for this population, including significant restricted daily activity and lost agricultural work time. Key findings provide a basis for further study to address these burdens.

Key Words: burden on agricultural operation, lost agricultural work time, rural population-based, sports and recreational injuries

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?