Presenter Profile
Brianna Iverson, BS
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
brianna-iverson@uiowa.edu
Brianna Iverson is a second-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and also attended the University of Iowa to obtain her biology degree (go Hawks!). She spends her free time reading as much as she can, listening to Taylor Swift, and enjoying time outside. Brianna hopes that her research in injury prevention will educate adolescents and their guardians about the importance of helmet safety and its role in the reduction of head injuries.
Presentations
Rural Adolescent Attitudes and Use of Equestrian Helmets
Brianna Iverson, BS
Devin Spolsdoff, MS
Pam Hoogerwerf, BA
Kristel Wetjen, RN, MSN
Shannon Landers, BS
Charles Jennissen, MD
Horses are still common in rural areas including farms and ranches and are used for work-related activities as well as for recreation. Equestrian helmets can help prevent and decrease the severity of head injuries when on or around a horse. Yet, helmets may be underutilized by horseback riders. Our study objective was to evaluate the frequency of equestrian helmet use in rural adolescents, their attitudes with regards to helmets and to identify associated demographic factors.
A convenience sample of 2022 Iowa FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) Leadership Conference attendees completed an anonymous survey at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital injury prevention booth. Data was compiled and imported into Stata 15.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX). Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed including bivariate (Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test) and multivariable logistic regression analyses.
1,331 adolescents who were 13-18 years of age participated. One-fourth (26%) of participant’s households owned a horse with those from farms having the highest ownership proportion (37%), p<0.01. Youth from farms were 4.3 times more likely to own a horse than those living in towns. Overall, 45% had ridden a horse in the past year. Females (51%) and those whose families owned a horse (86%) had higher proportions having ridden a horse in the past year. Females were 2.1 times and horse owners 15.6 times more likely to have ridden a horse in the past year than males and non-owners, respectively. Females, those from farms and horse owners also had higher proportions riding horses frequently (daily/monthly). Equestrian helmet use was: 13% always, 10% mostly, 11% sometimes, 17% rarely, 50% never. Females had higher helmet use as compared to males. Helmet importance (rated 1-10) was a median of 6 and mean of 5.8; lower ratings than for dirt bikes or motorcycles. Those who had not ridden or rode infrequently viewed equestrian helmet use as being more important than more frequent riders (p<0.001). Only 22% supported equestrian helmet use laws. Males, non-Hispanic Whites, farm residents and horse owners had lower proportions supporting helmet laws. Respondents who had participated in an activity that required equestrian helmet use had higher percentages that reported wearing helmets, viewed wearing helmets as important, and supported laws mandating helmet use (all p < 0.001); they were also 4 times more likely to wear a helmet than those who had not participated in an activity mandating equestrian helmet use.
One-half of study adolescents never used equestrian helmets when riding horses. However, those who had participated in an activity mandating that they wear helmets had higher helmet use and ratings of helmet importance. Requiring helmet use at training centers, competitions, club events and group rides may help increase general equestrian helmet use. Education and other interventions to help change the safety culture surrounding equestrian helmet use is needed in rural areas.
1. List at least two youth demographic factors associated with higher proportions having ridden a horse in the past year.
2. Describe rural youth equestrian helmet use and the importance youth ascribe to wearing helmets while riding horses.
3. State what effect required helmet use at training centers, competitions, club events and group rides may have on adolescent’s use of and attitudes regarding equestrian helmets.
Snowmobile Helmets: Attitudes and Use by Rural Adolescents
Brianna Iverson, BS
Devin Spolsdoff, MS
Pam Hoogerwerf, BA
Kristel Wetjen, RN, MSN
Shannon Landers, BS
Charles Jennissen, MD
Snowmobiles are a common recreational activity in rural areas in northern climes. Head injuries are a common cause of deaths and injuries while snowmobiling, and helmet use can significantly decrease the risk. Our objective was to determine rural adolescents’ attitudes regarding helmets, the frequency of their use while riding snowmobiles and associated demographic factors.
An anonymous survey was given to a convenience sample of attendees of the 2022 Iowa FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) Leadership Conference at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital injury prevention booth. Descriptive, bivariate (Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test), and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed after data compilation and importation into Stata 15.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX).
1,331 adolescents between 13-18 years completed the survey with 50% living on farms, 21% in the country but not on a farm and 28% from towns. One-fourth (26%) lived in a household that owned a snowmobile with those from farms having the highest ownership proportion (31%), p<0.001. Overall, 35% had ridden a snowmobile in the past year. Snowmobile owners, males, non-Hispanic Whites, and farm residents all had higher proportions having ridden a snowmobile in the past year (all p<0.01). Snowmobile owners and older adolescents also had higher percentages of riding more frequently (weekly/daily), p<0.001 and p=0.025, respectively. Helmet use was: 53% always, 14% mostly, 11% sometimes, 6% rarely, 15% never. Helmet use importance (from 1-10) while riding snowmobiles was rated relatively high (median 9, mean 8.2), significantly higher than that for all-terrain vehicles (6, 6.1). Owners, females, and at least weekly riders had greater proportions that wore a helmet all or most of the time as compared to peers (p=0.018, p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively), and they also rated the importance of wearing a helmet higher. Those whose families owned snowmobiles were 3.1 times more likely to always or almost always wear a helmet than those who did not own one. Overall, 59% stated there should be a law requiring snowmobile helmets.
Study adolescents rated wearing a helmet while snowmobiling very important and the majority supported laws mandating their use. Almost half who rode snowmobiles reported not always wearing a helmet. Our study identified demographics for which interventions regarding helmet use could be targeted. More rural adolescents always wearing a helmet while riding snowmobiles would likely decrease the number of deaths and serious injuries associated with these vehicles.
1. List at least three youth demographic factors associated with higher proportions having ridden a snowmobile in the past year.
2. Describe rural adolescent’s use of helmets and the importance they ascribe to helmet use while riding snowmobiles.
3. State which youth might be at greater risk for not wearing a helmet while riding snowmobiles.