What Factors Predict Subsequent Motor Vehicle Injuries? Analysis of the longitudinal Canadian National Population Health Survey

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of subsequent motor vehicle collision injuries (MVCs), with a particular focus on health-related variables, using the longitudinal dataset from the Canadian National Population Health Survey (NPHS) for the years 1994-2002. Methods: Path analysis technique was used to determine the relations between MVC injury and four risk factors: binge drinking; health status; distress; and medication use. The three demographic variables, age at ‘baseline’, sex, and immigration status, were added into the model as control variables. Three age groups were examined: young = 12-29.9; middle-aged = 30-59.9 and old = 60-85 years of age. The total sample size was 16 093. Results: A higher percentage of males, younger and Canadian born persons reported a MVC injury. Binge drinkers, respondents with poor health, respondents with distress and who reported using pain relievers, tranquillizers, antidepressants, codeine, Demerol, morphine, sleeping pills, and two or more medications reported a higher percentage of subsequent injuries. Path analysis found that among younger individuals, the variable binge drinking, was the only significan