ANALYSIS OF HISPANIC MOTOR-VEHICLE TRAUMA VICTIMS IN ILLINOIS, 1991-1992

Objective: 1) To develop a profile of Hispanic motor vehicle trauma vi ctims in Illinois, 2) to ascertain whether differences exist between H ispanic and general-Illinois-population motor vehicle trauma victims, and 3) to identify potential target areas for future injury interventi on programs. Methods: A retrospective analysis of Illinois motor vehic le trauma patients admitted from July 1991 to June 1992 was made. Part icipants were motor vehicle trauma victims (drivers and passengers) wh o presented to one of 73 level I or level II trauma centers throughout Illinois and were entered into the Illinois Trauma Registry (ITR) fro m July 1, 1991, through June 30, 1992. Results: Of the 12,299 motor ve hicle trauma victims in the ITR, 771 (6.3%) were Hispanic, 8,979 (73.0 %) were white, 1,115 (9.1%) were black, and 1,434 (11.6%) were other. When compared with the other racial groups, the group of Hispanic vict ims were younger (25.2 vs 33.2 years), had higher male predominance (7 2.8% vs 60.9%), and had the lowest rate of safety equipment/occupant r estraint use (21.7% vs 34.7%). A high alcohol use rate (30.7%) and hig h mean serum ethanol levels (44 mmol/L; 0.2 mg%) were noted. When cont rasted with other racial/ethnic groups, the Hispanic victims had lower Injury Severity Scale scores (p < 0.001), but mean hospital charges t ended to be higher, with fewer alternative sources of payment (p < 0.0 01). Conclusion: Using age-adjusted data from the ITR, Hispanic motor vehicle trauma victim features differ significantly from those of othe r racial groups. Effective health maintenance and injury prevention st rategies should address the basis for these differences.