OBJECTIVE: To identify factors related to risk for poor health outcomes and secondary conditions in a sample of American Indians with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Interviews were conducted by telephone with most participants; those who did not have telephones returned materials by mail. SETTING: A large rehabilitation hospital in the Western/ Mountain region of the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-seven American Indians with SCI completed a comprehensive health interview. All participants were adults with traumatic SCI and were at least 1 year postinjury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Selected items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to assess health behaviors and general health outcomes. Two secondary conditions were also investigated as outcome measures: pressure sores and post-SCI injuries. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression was used to predict seven health-related outcomes. Depressive symptomatology and post-SCI injuries were the primary predictors of the majority of health outcomes. Alcohol consumption was associated with a greater risk for post-SCI injuries, and being older at injury was associated with poorer health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to reduce depression, injuries, and alcohol misuse have potential for improving health among American Indians with SCI.
OBJECTIVE: To identify factors related to risk for poor health outcomes and secondary conditions in a sample of American Indians with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Interviews were conducted by telephone with most participants; those who did not have telephones returned materials by mail. SETTING: A large rehabilitation hospital in the Western/ Mountain region of the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-seven American Indians with SCI completed a comprehensive health interview. All participants were adults with traumatic SCI and were at least 1 year postinjury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Selected items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to assess health behaviors and general health outcomes. Two secondary conditions were also investigated as outcome measures: pressure sores and post-SCI injuries. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression was used to predict seven health-related outcomes. Depressive symptomatology and post-SCI injuries were the primary predictors of the majority of health outcomes. Alcohol consumption was associated with a greater risk for post-SCI injuries, and being older at injury was associated with poorer health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to reduce depression, injuries, and alcohol misuse have potential for improving health among American Indians with SCI.