Background: There is an increasing concern over adolescent concussions in sports due to risks of long-term negative effects. This study analyzed data over three school years on reported concussion incidence rates by season, high school grade levels and gender, and reported symptoms by school nurses versus athletic trainers, from New Jersey student-athlete concussion data available from an online school-based surveillance system. Methods: School nurses and athletic trainers reported 300 concussions within five days from when each occurred over three school years, 2015-2018, in team sports and physical education in New Jersey high schools. Analysis was further conducted on symptoms and number of symptoms reported by school nurses versus school athletic trainers for each documented student-athlete concussion. Estimated concussion incidence rates were calculated using state agency verified school enrollment data. Findings: Concussions most commonly occurred during fall, followed by spring, then winter. Concussion incidence rates ranged from 6.3/1000 (4.99, 7.55) -9.1/1000 (7.27, 10.98) students over the three school years of the study. Athletic trainers completed 86% of the reports while nurses completed 11% (position or title of 3%, or n = 7, were not disclosed); the values were similar when considering only fall pre-season and regular season sports (88, 10, 2%, respectively). On average, across the three school years, athletic trainers reported about 3.5 symptoms per report while nurses reported 2.7 (values in fall seasons only were 3.7 and 3.1, respectively.) Conclusions: Certified athletic trainers, compared to school nurses, more often completed concussion report forms and reported more symptoms per injured student, perhaps due partly to closer contact and immediate care provided after injury. Additionally, this study had a higher concussion incidence rate during fall sports seasons compared to winter and spring. Future research can further improve our understanding of concussions among adolescent student-athletes to better inform concussion identification, management and recovery protocols.
Despite increased awareness of concussions among student-athletes, local epidemiologic surveillance efforts are limited, especially among adolescents. We analyzed data reported through a state public-school-based online surveillance tool during the fall (summer preseason and regular season), winter, and spring seasons of the 2015–2017 school years at seven participating public high schools across New Jersey. Concussions were sustained during interscholastic and intramural sports and in physical education classes. There were 208 concussions: 142 in fall (123 regular season), 22 in winter (21 regular season), and 44 in spring. Reports stated 75% were first concussions, but 17% were second and 2% were third concussions.
Secondary or high school (HS) educational professionals expressed concerns about dealing with environmental and occupational health and safety protocols due to COVID-19. Concerns related to fall 2020 school re-opening and getting back into in-person teaching—whether full-time, part-time or some other approved hybrid model—plus ongoing uncertainty with how the state and federal government will be handling matters about mandates for virtual learning, rapid testing, vaccine distribution, etc. These concerns were related to both their experience as educational professionals and genuine interest in personal and student well-being. This study was a cross-sectional online survey in early fall from mid-September–early October 2020. Of a possible maximum participation of 740 New Jersey (NJ) supervisory-level HS teachers and administrators (e.g., department chairs, district and school principals), 100 confirmed unique respondents (13.5%) consented and completed the survey. Of 100 experienced (mean 18 years teaching) participants, 70% responded to the gender identity question (overall, 61% female, 39% male; by NJ region, gender ratios were similar). There were statistically significant differences (using Fischer’s exact test) between NJ regions regarding provision of online counseling and support services for teachers (p < 0.001); for resources and equipment for teachers to mediate online learning (p = 0.02); for assistive video technology tools (p = 0.03) and accessibility to structured online learning and professional development (p = 0.002); concerning learning aids to engage students in online instruction, online counseling, and support services for students and their families (p = 0.006); appropriate protocol is clean and disinfect areas used by a person with COVID-19 (p = 0.002); and, immediately separate staff and students who screen positive for COVID-19 (p = 0.03). There were few statistical differences by gender. This study reported what participants wanted regarding the development of future policies then implemented as reopening practices. Data can inform recommendations in NJ and elsewhere at federal, state, and local levels. Data provide new insights and valuable information to inform the consideration of acceptability of various policy measures among HS education professionals.
Background: To identify if e-cigarette usage is an on-campus problem for secondary schools and evaluate initial school survey responses. More specifically, this survey can aid in identifying where students are seen using ecigarettes, if smoke alarms have been newly inserted on school property, if smoke alarms have been tampered with to allow for vaping without detection; and, if any e-cigarette fires or explosions have occurred on school property. Methods: This survey, disseminated to New Jersey secondary school teachers across seven sessions January-July 2019, resulted in 104 complete responses of 109 respondents. The survey was conducted after fire prevention, exit/ egress, and life safety portions of "OSHA 10 Plus for General Industry" courses. Survey questions included number of times teachers observed students vaping and location where vaping in last 12 months, fire alarm installation and tampering, and fires or explosions and injuries from vaping/e-cigarette devices. Results: Many (63%) respondents reported very or moderately common rates of vaping within their schools; however, three of four questions regarding school fire and smoke alarm use specifically to detect vaping had a majority of unsure/I don't know responses. Conclusion: Results suggested concerns regarding student vaping and e-cigarette use inside and outside secondary schools. Improved school detection and response are warranted. Trial registration: Not applicable.
BACKGROUND: Despite increased awareness of concussions, epidemiologic surveillance efforts have been scarce, especially among adolescents. This project, which was developed with school stakeholders (certified athletic trainers [ATCs], nurses, athletic directors), piloted a public secondary school-based online surveillance tool for interscholastic and intramural sports and physical education-related concussions in New Jersey during 2014-2017 school years (SY). METHODS:Participating public high schools (5 within 4 districts) and career-technical-vocational education districts (2 with 5 campuses) completed forms anonymously online via PsychData within 5 days. RESULTS:There were 208 concussions reported, 115 in 2015-2016 SY and 93 in 2016-2017 SY. In fall 2015, 86 concussions were reported, including 16 from summer preseason. In fall 2016, 56 concussions were reported; 3 occurred during preseason. There were 7 concussions reported in winter 2016 and 16 in winter 2017. Twenty-two concussions were reported in spring of both 2016 and 2017. Most online forms were completed in <10 minutes, usually using either desktop computers or tablets/iPads. School nurses followed by ATCs were primary sources of data entered online, usually by ATCs. CONCLUSIONS:Cooperation of nurses and ATCs at participating schools suggested online surveillance was valued and viable. Data inform future concussion prevention education and ongoing injury surveillance.Citation: Shendell DG, Gonzalez L, Listwan TA, Pancella J, Blackborow M, Boyd J. Developing and piloting a school-based online adolescent student-athlete concussion surveillance system.
BACKGROUND New Jersey (NJ) Safe Schools Program, primarily funded by the NJ Department of Education, has aims concerning safety and health including helping to alleviate harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) in secondary school because HIB can affect learning. We evaluated officially reported adolescent HIB total incidents and estimated rates in NJ public city and county school districts for the 2011‐2016 school years. METHODS A cross‐sectional observational study using population‐based state‐reported public data. We calculated point prevalence and incidence rates for K‐12 students in 22 public city school districts, students in 21 career‐technical‐vocational education (CTE) school districts, and 8 special services school districts during 2011‐2016. RESULTS HIB is prevalent in NJ school classrooms. HIB comprised ≥75% of total officially reported in‐school violence‐related incidents in a given school year. Rates per 100 enrollees of total officially reported incidents for the 5‐year period of 2011‐2016 was highest in special services school districts (5.00; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.67, 5.34) followed by CTE districts (1.94; 95% CI: 1.86, 2.01), and lowest in city districts (1.46; 95% CI: 1.44, 1.48). The special services school district also had the highest rates per year and the 5‐year period. CONCLUSIONS Data analyses suggested ideas for further research and improvements for school HIB incident reports. Policies and programs could remedy issues observed in state secondary school classrooms. Best practices within districts and schools can help protect students from HIB and promote safety, health, learning, and maturation.
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