Traumatic Brain Injury and Its Risk Factors in a Homeless Population.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the traumatic brain injury (TBI) profile and its associated risk factors in homeless individuals in Santa Clara County, CA. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: Two homeless shelter health clinics in Santa Clara County, CA. PARTICIPANTS: Currently or recently homeless individuals seeking health care at 2 homeless shelter health clinics between August 2013 and May 2014. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographics, TBI incidence and characteristics. RESULTS: The findings indicate that TBI history in the homeless population was higher (79.7%) than in the general population (12%). Almost half of the population (49.2%) reported that their TBI occurred before the age of 18. Of the participants, 68.2% reported sustaining a TBI with loss of consciousness. TBI caused by violence (60%) was lower in this cohort than other homeless cohorts but was the main cause of injury regardless of age. Alcoholism was a risk factor for having more TBIs. No differences in TBI profile were found between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the need for more research on the lifetime risk factors associated with TBI to prevent and reduce the number of brain injuries in homeless populations.