@article{ref1,
title="Use of Discretionary Protective Equipment in High School Athletes: Prevalence and Determinants",
journal="American journal of public health",
year="2005",
author="Yang, Jingzhen and Bowling, J. Michael and Lewis, Melissa A. and Marshall, Stephen W. and Runyan, Carol S. Wolf and Mueller, F. O.",
volume="95",
number="11",
pages="1996-2002",
abstract="Objectives: To describe the use of discretionary protective equipment among high school athletes and examine social and behavioral determinants contributing to usage. Methods: We analyzed data from a three-year (1996 to 1999), stratified, two-stage cluster sample of athletes from 12 organized sports in 100 North Carolina high schools (n = 19,728 athlete-seasons). We used generalized logistic regression to model the association of social and behavioral determinants and demographic variables with discretionary protective equipment use. Results: About one-third of high school athletes self-reported using discretionary protective equipment. Females, seniors, those who played limited contact sports, and those who played multiple sports reported higher usage. Small school size, low player/coach ratio, high proportion of team usage, and a history of previous injury were important predictors of usage. Coaches' experience, qualifications, and training, however, were not predictive of usage. Conclusions: Intervention efforts to promote use of discretionary protective equipment need to target school-level factors and should consider both team requirements and the role of peers in setting and reinforcing norms.",
language="",
issn="0090-0036",
doi="10.2105/AJPH.2004.050807",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2004.050807"
}