title: Concussion in rugby: knowledge and attitudes of players.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Concussion is a traumatic brain injury, resulting in the alteration of mental status with or without loss of consciousness. There is increasing awareness that recurrent concussion may contribute to long-term neurological complication.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine player knowledge and attitudes regarding concussion. To identify sources of information and medical care, and to estimate the incidence of concussion in this group. To determine if player gender and grade of competition are associated with differences in knowledge, attitudes, medical care, and incidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five rugby teams were recruited and players invited to complete a paper-based questionnaire. The questionnaire sought information on player demographics, knowledge level, attitudes and concussion experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  90.8 % of players knew they should not continue playing when concussed. 75 % of players would continue an important game even if concussed. Of those concussed, 39.1 % have tried to influence medical assessment with 78.2 % stating it is possible or quite easy to do so. Males are less likely to worry about long-term effects of concussion (χ (2) = 9.23, p = 0.026). Club players are less likely to have medical care at training (χ (2) = 28.2, p < 0.001) or matches (χ (2) = 19.47 p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite good knowledge of concussion complications, management players engage in unsafe behaviour with little difference between gender and competition grades. Information regarding symptoms and management should be available to all players, coaches, and parents. Provision of medical care should be mandatory at every level of competition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland. emer.oconnell@umail.ucc.ie.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Molloy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attitude; Brain; Concussion; Knowledge; Sports