The prevalence of head injury among four-year college students.

Abstract

The present study investigated the prevalence of head injury among four-year college students. Students from four colleges in three states were asked to participate in the study. The students were asked to respond to a questionnaire about head injuries. The questionnaire was specifically designed to measure the incidence of head injury or prolonged periods of unconsciousness of 20 minutes or more. Of the 850 questionnaires sent out, a total of 648 were obtained and analyzed for a return rate of 76~1(,. Twenty-seven students (4.16% ) indicated having sustained a medically diagnosed head-injury/illness. Forty-two students (6.48%) reported an unconscious period of 20 minutes or longer. The remainder of the students (89.385) reported no period of prolonged unconsciousness or head injury/illness. Analyses of variance were conducted to determine if there was a significant difference between the mean grade point averages (GPAs) and ages of the three groups. The mean GPAs of the groups did not show significance. The age factor was significant F(2,645) = 18.66, Q< .001. Tukey's (a) test was conducted to determine where the significant differences existed. Significant differences in age were discovered between the group of students who had sustained a prolonged period of unconsciousness and the other two groups. The group reporting a period of unconsciousness was significantly younger CM = 18.93) than the head injury (M = 23.84) or no injury group (M = 22.10). Descriptive statistics were also conducted and reported. The results of this replication give support to the Holmes, Kixmiller, Minor, Thomas and Wurtz (1988) study. This study more firmly establishes a prevalence rate of the head-injured college student. However, it also highlights the need for further studies to better asses the needs of head-injured college students.