Citation

Meske S, Hazzard JB, Ni M, Hanson T, Van Horn L, Smith J. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2019; 34(1): E18-E26.

Affiliation

Institute for Concussion Research and Services, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0000000000000407

PMID

29863624

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.

Language: en