The prevalence of traumatic brain injury and co-occurring disabilities in a national household survey of adults

This original point prevalence study provides sociodemographic characteristics and Canadian household prevalence rates of adults (15 years and older) with disability who have survived a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the type, number, and prevalence rates of co-occurring disabilities. This report is based on the Health and Activity Limitation Survey, a national survey conducted by Statistics Canada in 1986-87. The overall household prevalence rate of TBI is 62.3/100,000 adults (95% confidence interval = 54.0,70.5). Gender-specific rates are 81.3/100,000 males and 44.2/100,000 females, with a 1.8:1 male-to-female ratio. Rates are highest in the 45-64 age range, 3 times those in the 15-24 age group. Eighty-four percent of adults with TBI have co-occurring disabilities (median = 2), the most prevalent being limited mobility and agility.