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.
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.
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