Epidemiology of unintentional adult injury in a rural population

Background. The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency, characteristics, and risk factors of unintentional adult injury in a rural population. Methods. We interviewed 1,644 adults representing an all-rural county in Iowa. Analyses used bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. Results. Participants' mean age was 53 years, and 54% were women. Twenty-three percent (n = 380) of participants reported an injury during the past 12 months, of which four fifths were treated. Overexertion (25%) and falls (22%) caused nearly half the injuries. Women with high levels of depression symptoms had 1.57 times (95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.33) the prevalence of injury occurrence as did women with low levels of depression symptoms. Men with a CAGE score of 2 or more had between 0.98 and 2.56 times (according to the range of values of the relevant odds ratio 95% confidence interval) the prevalence of injury episode of men without this exposure. Conclusion. The association of injury occurrence with alcohol problems is consistent with prior research, but the increased prevalence of injury associated with high levels of symptoms of depression requires further study and explanation.