Risk factors associated with self-reported training-related injury before arrival at the US army ordnance school.

Summary Objective This study examined risk factors for self-reported injury incurred before arrival at Ordnance School for advanced individual training (AIT). Study design During AIT in-processing, soldiers ( n  = 27,289 men and 3856 women) completed a questionnaire that collected demographic and lifestyle information, and asked if the soldier currently had an injury that would affect their AIT performance. Methods Potential risk factors for self-reported injury were explored using logistic regression. Results For men, self-reported injury was associated with older age [odds ratio (OR) ≥30years/17–19 years = 1.9], race (OR Black/Caucasian = 1.2), basic combat training (BCT) site (OR Fort Benning/Fort Jackson = 1.7; OR Fort Leonard Wood/Fort Jackson = 1.6, OR Fort Knox/Fort Jackson = 1.3), smoking on 20 or more days in the 30 days prior to BCT (OR smoker/non-smoker = 1.2) and current illness (OR ill/not ill = 6.2). For women, increased self-reported injury was associated with older age (OR ≥ 30years/17–19 years = 2.0), BCT site (OR Fort Leonard Wood/Fort Jackson = 1.5) and current illness (OR ill/not ill = 5.8). Conclusions Certain demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviours may be identified as injury risk factors on arrival at Ordnance AIT.