The influence of extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors on the probability of sustaining an injury.
This study was designed to quantify the relative contributions of extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors to the probability of an injury event. A case-control design was used with data collected from injured patients at an emergency department (n=797) and a community sample matched on area of residence and time of injury (n=797). Principal components analysis was used to develop scales for the measurement of 'intrinsic' risk taking tendencies that were slightly modified versions of previously published measures. Two principal components were identified: 'health risk taking' (HRT) and 'adventurous risk taking' (ART). Logistic regression analysis identified variables that significantly predicted membership of the group of injured cases. The main hypothesis was supported by the results: that 'extrinsic' factors such as location, activity, drug and alcohol use and the type of people present at the time of the injury were related to a greater risk of injury than 'intrinsic' variables (health and adventurous risk taking tendencies). The results suggest that injury research and prevention efforts should continue to focus on the identification and modification of situational risk factors for injury rather developing programs that focus on high-risk individuals. High-risk alcohol use, use of prescribed drugs and aspects of work and recreational environments were identified as warranting particular attention.
McLeod
Roberta
R
National Drug Research Institute, G.P.O. Box U1987, WA 6845, Perth, Australia.
Stockwell
Tim
T
Rooney
Rosanna
R
Stevens
Margaret
M
Phillips
Mike
M
Jelinek
George
G
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*