School suspensions, injury-prone behaviors, and injury history.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association of history of school suspension (HSS) to risky behaviors and injury history.


METHODS
Adult patients admitted to a Level I trauma center (n = 774) were assessed for demographics, socioeconomic status, educational history, risky behaviors (infrequent seat belt use, drinking and driving, binge drinking, and speeding for a thrill), substance abuse disorders, and prior injury history. Student's t test and chi statistics were used to compare subjects with and without a HSS in relation to risky behaviors and injury history (alpha = 0.05). Logistic regression models were constructed with each risky behavior and injury history as the outcome adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, and substance abuse disorders.


RESULTS
Patients with HSS (n = 260) were significantly younger, more likely to be male, not married, low income, Black, unemployed, smokers, and alcohol and drug dependent than patients without such history (n = 514). They had higher rates of binge drinking (66% vs. 33%), infrequent seat belt use (50% vs. 26%), drinking and driving (24% vs. 12%), and driving fast for a thrill (21% vs. 8%). Similarly, they had more frequent previous history of vehicular injuries (44% vs. 31%) and assaults (36% vs. 16%). Multivariate models revealed school suspension to be associated with infrequent seat belt use (Odds ratio [OR] = 2.02 [1.44-2.83]), binge drinking (OR = 1.95 [1.25-3.04]), speeding for a thrill (OR = 1.83 [1.15-2.92]), prior vehicular injuries (OR = 1.46 [1.06-2.02]), and assaults (OR = 1.67 [1.13-2.47]).


CONCLUSIONS
HSS is associated with risky behaviors, and history of prior vehicular crashes and assaults.
Ryb
Gabriel E
GE
National Study Center for Trauma and EMS, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. gabyryb@pol.net
Dischinger
Patricia C
PC
Smith
Gordon S
GS
Soderstrom
Carl A
CA
D000328:Adult; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012574:Schools; D012923:Social Class; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology*