910 MEP044 – Sex differences in previous knowledge, education, and disclosure of sports-related concussion among collegiate athletes in Japan

AbstractBackground Although females are more likely to disclose suspected sports-related concussions (SRC) than males, previous studies in the U.S. report that there is no difference in the level of SRC knowledge by sex. This lack of difference may be due to the saturation of SRC education in the U.S. In Japan, where SRC education is inadequate may influence athletes' SRC knowledge, previous SRC education (SRC-E), and SRC non-disclosure (SRC-D).Objective We aimed to examine SRC knowledge, SRC-E, and SRC-D by sex among collegiate athletes in Japan.Design Cross-sectional study.Setting Single university study in Japan.Patients (or Participants) 2,103 athletes (48 clubs) were contacted to participate in an anonymous survey (August 1, 2021–September 17, 2021). Data from athletes with (1) SRC history in the past 3 months, (2) persistent symptoms, (3) non-traditional sports, (4) non-binary gender (n=1), and (5) incomplete surveys were excluded. As a result, data from 592 athletes (male, n=407; female, n=18) representing 43 clubs were included in this analysis.Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) N/A.Main Outcome Measurements Outcome measures were sex (male/female), SRC knowledge (maximum score of 49), SRC-E (YES, NO), and SRC-D (YES, NO). Results No difference in knowledge was detected by sex (MD, male = 33.0, female = 34.0, U=36724.5, p=0.6). SRC-E in males and females were 53.1% and 58.9%, respectively with no statistical difference by sex (x2[1] =1.8, p=0.19). SRC-D in males and females were 13.9% and 7.4%, respectively, with no statistical difference by sex (x2[1] =2.8, p=0.10).Conclusions Athletes' sex had no association with SRC knowledge, SRC-E, and SRC-D. The finding suggests the current level of SRC knowledge and/or the quality of SRC education are insufficient regardless of the athletes' sex and further effort is warranted to improve SRC-D among Japanese collegiate athletes.