The Prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury and On-Campus Service Utilization Among Undergraduate Students. Issue 1 (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meske, Sam; Hazzard, Joseph B.; Ni, Meng; Hanson, Tyler; Van Horn, Lucas; Smith, Josh
• Is Part Of: Journal of head trauma rehabilitation. Volume 34:Issue 1(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: accommodation -- mild traumatic brain injury -- prevalence -- services -- sports concussion -- symptoms; Brain damage -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Brain damage -- Periodicals; 617.4810443
• DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000407
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-9701

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: (1) To examine the prevalence of college-aged students on campus who had a history of concussion(s) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) and associated symptoms and (2) to evaluate the rate of campus service utilization among students who had a TBI. Setting: A representative sampling, randomly selected campus-wide e-mail was sent out with a Qualtrics online survey. Participants: College-aged students ( N = 466, n = 429) at a northeastern US university responded and consented to participate in the online survey. Design: Descriptive study using an online survey to evaluate the prevalence of TBI and subsequent utility of campus services. Main Outcome Measures: The survey assessed concussion history and the diagnosing clinician, activity in which it occurred, level of consciousness, associated symptoms, and utilization of campus services for academic accommodation. Results: Prevalence of concussion/TBI in the study population (51.7%) is notably higher than previous reporting in adult and college populations (∼10%-25%). Campus disability and accommodative services were underutilized (10%-13%) and were accessed more readily by the female population. In addition, there were reportable increases in symptom prevalence and service utilization with a greater number of previous concussions. Conclusions: Awareness and utilization of accommodative services, especially with a history of concussions, need to be improved in order to ensure academic and occupational success of students. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.