Underreporting of Concussions and Concussion-Like Symptoms in Female High School Athletes.
Underreporting of concussions and concussion-like symptoms in athletes continues to be a serious medical concern and research focus. Despite mounting worry, little evidence exists examining incidence of underreporting and documenting characteristics of head injury in female athletes participating in high school sports. This study examined the self-reporting behaviors of female high school athletes. Seventy-seven athletes participated, representing 14 high school sports. Nearly half of the athletes (31 participants) reported a suspected concussion, with 10 of the 31 athletes refraining from reporting symptoms to training staff after injury. Only 66% reported receiving concussion education. Concussion education appeared to have no relationship with diagnosed concussion rates in athletes, removing athletes from play, or follow-up medical care after injury. In conclusion, female high school athletes underreport signs and symptoms of concussions. Concussion education should occur at higher rates among female athletes to influence reporting behaviors.
Trauma, Acute Care Surgery, Burn and Concussion Administration, University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City (Ms McDonald); and Occupational Therapy Education, School of Health Professions (Mr Burghart), and Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine (Dr Nazir), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.
Tracy
T
McDonald
Mark A
MA
Burghart
Niaman
N
Nazir
D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015399:Nursing Research; D012308:Risk Management; D012494:Sampling Studies; D057566:Self Report; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric