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

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. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Royal Society for Public Health.