BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests that those who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at increased risk of adverse behaviors and health indicators, such as certain chronic physical and mental health conditions. However, little is known about the prevalence of these behaviors and health indicators among these individuals, information that could help decrease their risk of developing such conditions.

METHODS

Data (N = 4733) from the 2018 North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were analyzed to determine the prevalence of behaviors and health indicators among individuals who report having a lifetime history of TBI with loss of consciousness (LOC).

RESULTS

North Carolinians who report a lifetime history of TBI with LOC were at increased risk of reporting a range of 3 negative health behaviors: less than always seatbelt use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2–2.4), HIV risk behaviors (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1–2.6), and reporting less than 7 hours of sleep (AOR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.2–1.8); more difficulty obtaining health care (not seeing a doctor due to health care cost in the past 12 months [AOR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.0–1.8]; not getting a routine medical check-up in the past 12 months [AOR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.2–2.0]); worse self-reported health (fair or poor general health [AOR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.4–2.3]); and reporting fair or poor mental health (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.6–2.8) compared with individuals who did not report a history of TBI.

LIMITATIONS

There are several limitations to the study, such as the sample being biased toward more severe brain injuries. Additionally, because the data in the BRFSS are retrospective and cross-sectional, it is not possible to determine temporality and causality between TBI history and the behaviors and health indicators examined.

CONCLUSION

Despite these limitations, this paper is one of the first to directly examine the association between history of TBI with LOC and a range of current behaviors and health care utilization. Assessing positive and negative behaviors and health indicators can help identify and tailor evidence-based interventions for those who have a history of TBI.