Citation

Vladutiu CJ, Casteel CH, Runyan CW. Inj. Prev. 2008; 14(5): 302-305.

Affiliation

The University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/ip.2008.018838

PMID

18836046

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Many unintentional injuries occur in the home, but little research has considered the specific vulnerability of people with disabilities. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study examining nationally representative data from the 2004-2006 National Health Interview Surveys. SUBJECTS: Adults aged 18 and older who reported having an unintentional, non-motor vehicle-related injury in the home (n = 2189) or outside the home (n = 2072) and those who reported no injuries (n = 81,919) 3 months before their interview. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Non-fatal, unintentional, non-motor vehicle-related injuries. RESULTS: Among respondents experiencing a residential injury, 21.2% reported one type of disability, 11.2% reported two disabilities, and 9.1% reported three or more disabilities. As the number of disabilities increased, the odds of reporting a residential injury increased. Adults with three or more disabilities had three times the odds of reporting a residential injury (adjusted odds ratio = 3.2, 95% CI 2.7 to 3.9), compared with adults reporting no injury. CONCLUSION: The risk of injury in the residential environment among adults with disabilities increases with increasing numbers of disabilities. Attention to home safety issues for residents with disabilities is needed.

Language: en