Non-fatal horse related injuries treated in emergency departments in the United States, 2001-2003.
Abstract: To characterise and provide nationally representative estimates of persons with non-fatal horse related injuries treated in American emergency departments. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) is a stratified probability sample comprising 66 hospitals. Data on injuries treated in these emergency departments are collected and reported. NEISS-AIP data on all types (horseback riding and otherwise) of non-fatal horse related injuries from 2001 to 2003 were analysed. Results: An estimated 102,904 persons with non-fatal horse related injuries (35.7 per 100,000 population) were treated in American emergency departments each year from 2001 to 2003 inclusive. Non-fatal injury rates were higher for females (41.5 per 100,000) than for males (29.8 per 100,000). Most patients were injured while mounted on a horse (66.1%), commonly from falling or being thrown by the horse; while not mounted, injuries most often resulted from being kicked by the horse. The body parts most often injured were the head/neck region (23.2%), lower extremity (22.2%), and upper extremity (21.5%). The most common principal diagnoses were contusions/abrasions (31.4%) and fractures (25.2%). For each year that was studied, an estimated 11 502 people sustained traumatic brain injuries from horse related incidents. Overall, more than 11% of those injured were admitted to hospital. Conclusions: Horse related injuries are a public health concern not just for riders but for anyone in close contact with horses. Prevention programmes should target horseback riders and horse caregivers to promote helmet use and educate participants about horse behaviour, proper handling of horses, and safe riding practices.
Publication Date: 2006-04-12 PubMed ID: 16611723PubMed Central: PMC2564310DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2006.025858Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Multicenter Study
Summary
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The study aims to document and analyze non-fatal horse related injuries treated in U.S emergency departments using national data from 2001 to 2003. The findings emphasize the public health concern surrounding horse-related injuries for horseback riders and caretakers.
Research Methodology
- The research utilized the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP), which constitutes a probability sample of 66 hospitals across the US.
- The dataset of the injuries treated in the emergency departments of these hospitals was collected and analyzed.
- The analysis was focused on all types of non-fatal injuries related to horse interactions, whether during horseback riding or other activities.
Findings and Key Statistics
- Approximately 102,904 injuries related to horse interactions were estimated to be treated in American emergency departments each year between 2001 and 2003.
- The non-fatal injury rates were slightly higher for females than for males.
- The majority of the patients were injured while riding the horse, often from falling or being ejected from the horse.
- When not mounted, the most common cause of injury was getting kicked by a horse.
- The most frequently injured body parts were the head/neck area, the lower extremities, and the upper extremities.
- Common diagnoses included abrasions, contusions, and fractures, with a notable occurrence of traumatic brain injuries annually.
- More than 11% of those injured had to be admitted to the hospital for further treatment.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- Given the prevalence and severity of non-fatal horse-related injuries, they present a significant public health concern.
- Not only horse riders, but also individuals who are in close contact with horses, such as caregivers, are at risk.
- The study proposes targeted prevention programs to mitigate these injuries, promoting helmet use among riders and educating participants about horse behaviour, safe riding practices, and proper handling of horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Thomas KE, Annest JL, Gilchrist J, Bixby-Hammett DM.
(2006).
Non-fatal horse related injuries treated in emergency departments in the United States, 2001-2003.
Br J Sports Med, 40(7), 619-626.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2006.025858 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. KEThomas@cdc.gov
MeSH Terms
- Accident Prevention / methods
- Accidental Falls / prevention & control
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
- Female
- Head Protective Devices / statistics & numerical data
- Health Promotion
- Horses
- Humans
- Infant
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Patient Education as Topic
- Sex Distribution
- United States / epidemiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
Competing interests: none declared
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