Association Between Previous Concussion Education and Concussion Care-Seeking Outcomes Among National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Student-Athletes.

CONTEXT: Limited data exist concerning differences in concussion-education exposure and how education exposures relate to care seeking and symptom disclosure, specifically by National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I student-athletes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate demographic characteristics associated with concussion-education exposure and examine whether overall education exposure (yes versus no) and education-source exposure number (multiple sources versus a single source) affect concussion care-seeking and disclosure factors in Division I student-athletes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Classroom or online survey. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Division I student-athletes (n = 341). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Frequencies and proportions were computed for sex, race, school year, sport, and concussion history across concussion-education groups. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% CIs were calculated to quantify the associations between student-athlete characteristics and (1) overall concussion-education exposure and (2) source-exposure number. Separate multivariable linear regression models estimated adjusted mean differences (MDs) and 95% CIs, which allowed us to assess differences in concussion knowledge, attitudes, and perceived social norms relative to concussion-education exposure and exposure to multiple sources. Separate multivariable binomial regression models were performed to estimate adjusted PRs and 95% CIs in order to evaluate associations of intention, perceived control, and care-seeking or disclosure behaviors and overall concussion-education exposure and exposure to multiple sources. All models controlled for sex, sport, and concussion history. RESULTS: Overall, 276 (80.9%) participants reported previous concussion education, with 179 (64.9%) being exposed to multiple sources. Student-athletes who participated in a contact sport (adjusted PR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.06, 1.44) and those who had a concussion history (adjusted PR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.09, 1.31) had higher prevalences of concussion-education exposure. Females had a lower prevalence of reporting multiple sources (adjusted PR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.68, 0.99). Overall concussion-education exposure was significantly associated with more favorable perceived social norms surrounding concussion care seeking (adjusted MD = 1.37; 95% CI = 0.13, 2.61). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlighted the potential differences in overall concussion-education exposure and provide clinicians with information on groups who may benefit from additional targeted education.

Association Between Previous Concussion Education and Concussion Care-Seeking Outcomes among NCAA Division I Student-Athletes.

CONTEXT: There are limited data concerning differences in concussion education exposure and how education exposures relates to care-seeking and symptom disclosure, specifically in Division I student-athletes. OBJECTIVE: Investigate demographic characteristics associated with concussion education exposure and examine whether overall education exposure (yes vs. no) and education source exposure number (multiple sources vs. single source) affects concussion care-seeking and disclosure factors in Division I student-athletes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Classroom or online. PARTICIPANTS: NCAA Division I student-athletes (n=341). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Frequencies and proportions were computed for sex, race, school year, sport, and concussion history across concussion education groups. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) quantified the association between student-athlete characteristics and 1) overall concussion education exposure and 2) source exposure number. Separate multivariable linear regression models estimated adjusted mean differences (MD) and 95%CI to assess differences in concussion knowledge, attitudes, and perceived social norms relative to concussion education exposure and exposure to multiple sources. Separate multivariable binomial regression models estimated adjusted PRs and 95%CI to assess associations of intention, perceived control, and care-seeking/disclosure behaviors and overall concussion education exposure and exposure to multiple sources. All models controlled for sex, sport, and concussion history. RESULTS: Overall, n=276 (80.9%) reported previous concussion education, with 179 (64.9%) exposed to multiple sources. Student-athletes that participated in a contact sport (adjusted PR=1.24, 95%CI=1.06,1.44) and those who had a concussion history (adjusted PR=1.19, 95%CI=1.09,1.31) had higher prevalence of previous concussion education exposure. Females had a lower prevalence of reporting multiple sources (adjusted PR=0.82, 95%CI=0.68, 0.99). Overall concussion education exposure was significantly associated with more favorable perceived social norms surrounding concussion care-seeking (adjusted MD=1.37, 95%CI=0.13,2.61). CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight potential differences in overall concussion education exposure and provide clinicians with information on groups who may benefit from targeted additional education.