Year of Publication
2019
College
Public Health
Date Available
7-26-2019
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Committee Member
Dr. Susan Spengler
Advisor
Dr. Terry Bunn
Committee Member
Dr. Timothy Prince
Co-Director of Graduate Studies
Dr. Steven Browning
Abstract
Objectives
Traumatic work-related injuries result in thousands of deaths per year in the United States. It is important to determine factors that may contribute to these deaths in order to find ways to decrease the risk of injury. The study objectives were to determine if alcohol and drug (prescription and illicit) use could increase the risk of severe injuries or cause a specific mechanism of injury (being struck by or against an object, a fall, or injured as an occupant in a motor vehicle) when consumed prior to an injury.
Methods
A retrospective, facility-based, case review study of traumatic work-related injuries was conducted using the Kentucky Trauma Registry data set from 2013 to 2017. Subjects who were tested for drugs and alcohol were selected as participants in the study. Descriptive analysis, odds ratios, and logistic regression were performed on these cases.
Results
A person was 55% less likely with alcohol use and 20% more likely with drug use to have a moderate/severe work injury when the substances were consumed prior to the injury. The effect of drug and alcohol use prior to a work-related injury on the mechanism of the injury differed by type of mechanism. However, all of these results were not statistically significant.
Conclusion
Further research with a retrospective case-control study should be done. It might replicate the findings of this study and show results that are statistically significant.
Objectives
Traumatic work-related injuries result in thousands of deaths per year in the United States. It is important to determine factors that may contribute to these deaths in order to find ways to decrease the risk of injury. The study objectives were to determine if alcohol and drug (prescription and illicit) use could increase the risk of severe injuries or cause a specific mechanism of injury (being struck by or against an object, a fall, or injured as an occupant in a motor vehicle) when consumed prior to an injury.
Methods
A retrospective, facility-based, case review study of traumatic work-related injuries was conducted using the Kentucky Trauma Registry data set from 2013 to 2017. Subjects who were tested for drugs and alcohol were selected as participants in the study. Descriptive analysis, odds ratios, and logistic regression were performed on these cases.
Results
A person was 55% less likely with alcohol use and 20% more likely with drug use to have a moderate/severe work injury when the substances were consumed prior to the injury. The effect of drug and alcohol use prior to a work-related injury on the mechanism of the injury differed by type of mechanism. However, all of these results were not statistically significant.
Conclusion
Further research with a retrospective case-control study should be done. It might replicate the findings of this study and show results that are statistically significant.
Recommended Citation
McFarlane, Keisha, "Drugs, Alcohol, and their Impact on the Severity of a Traumatic Work-Related Injury" (2019). Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.). 238.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cph_etds/238
