A international cross-sectional study examining knowledge and attitudes towards sport-related concussion in Touch

Abstract

Objective: To determine the current level of knowledge and attitudes towards sport-related concussion (SRC) amongst key stakeholders in touch rugby.

Design: An international cross-sectional study. Participants n = 141 (male, n = 88; female, n = 53) from 15 Touch Associations.

Main outcome measure: Online questionnaire including non-validated sections captured participant characteristics, first aid training, previous concussion, awareness of SRC guidelines, combined with Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey. Distributed online to Touch athletes internationally. Concussion knowledge index (CKI) and attitude index (CAI) scores were calculated. A linear regression was performed to determine whether awareness of concussion, previous concussion and role affected CKI and CAI scores.

Results: Median CKI and CAI scores were 21 ± 2.0 and 67 ± 6.3, respectively, across all key stakeholders. 39% of participants reported a previous SRC and 32% of respondents were aware of concussion guidelines form their Association. Regression analysis showed minimal influence of key contextual information on CKI and CAI.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that key stakeholders in Touch have high to very high knowledge and safe attitudes towards SRC. However, there were some areas where further improvement could be targeted by those involved in Touch such as individual associations at the direction of the sport's governing body.

Keywords: Behaviour; Education; Policy; Traumatic brain injury.