Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2014
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v73.25191
Abstract
Background: Off-road motorized vehicle crashes are a common source of trauma among Alaska children. Injury morbidity is worse in Alaska Native children than non-Native children, but the reasons are unclear.
Objective: To evaluate the differences in helmet use between the Native and the non-Native children, and to assess the impact of helmet use on injury patterns and outcomes.
Design: This retrospective cohort study identified patients aged 17 or younger admitted after all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile or motorbike injury between 2001 and 2011 from the Alaska Trauma Registry. Helmeted and non-helmeted patients were compared with respect to demographics, central nervous system (CNS) injury and the overall risk of death or permanent disability. Logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of helmet use and the effects of ethnicity and helmet use on outcomes.
Results: Of the 921 injured children, 51% were Alaska Native and 49% were non-Native. Helmet use was lower among Native versus non-Native patients on unadjusted comparison (24% vs. 71%) and multivariable logistic regression (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.11–0.27, p
Conclusions: Helmet use is lower among Alaska Native children involved in off-road motorized vehicle crashes. These ethnic disparities in helmet use contribute to higher rates of CNS injury among Native children. Helmet use significantly improves overall outcome. Helmet promotion efforts should be expanded, especially in Native communities.
Rights Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
International Journal of Circumpolar Health, v. 73, issue 1, art. 25191
Scholar Commons Citation
Snyder, Christopher W.; Muensterer, Oliver J.; Sacco, Frank; and Safford, Shawn D., "Helmet use Among Alaskan Children Involved in off-road Motorized Vehicle Crashes" (2014). Surgery Faculty Publications. 9.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/sur_facpub/9
