All-terrain vehicle related injuries and hospitalization: An examination of the influence of age and substance abuse

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between age, substance abuse, and hospitalization resulting from ATV incidents among injured adults over the age of 21. All-terrain vehicle (ATV) related injuries are a significant source of morbidity, mortality, disability, and hospitalization, and serious injuries among the elderly are increasing. In addition, alcohol and drug use are prevalent among those injured in ATV-related incidents. However, studies indicate varying alcohol and drug use patterns among age groups and less attention has been paid to the experience of older adults and to the influence of substance abuse. A secondary purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between age and substance abuse, substance abuse and injured body sites, and age and injured body sites. Using a cross-sectional, quantitative approach and archival data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 2007, results of multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that age and substance abuse add independent information in predicting the odds of hospitalization. Using the chi-square test, similar substance abuse involvement among young, middle-aged and older adults was found and differences in the distribution of injured body sites existed between those with and without substance abuse and between the 3 age groups. The results of this study may lead to positive social change including age-specific prevention, specialized safety training for older adults, and more aggressive enforcement of drinking and driving restrictions while operating ATVs, thereby reducing deaths, disabilities, and considerable financial costs associated with ATV-related hospitalizations.