National prevalence rates of traumatic brain injury among adults: The Canadian household and institutional health and activity limitation surveys,1986–1987

The purpose of this study was to establish national point prevalence rates for traumatic brain injury, resulting in recognizable disability among adults living in institutions or in the community. The report is based on the Canadian Health and Activity Limitation Surveys (1986–1987), conducted in households and in institutions by Statistics Canada. These surveys used multi-stage cluster design with stratification, unequal probabilities of selection and computer linkage to the 1986 census of the population (households only). A combined representative sample of 632 adults with disabilities resulting from an injury to the brain provides a total population estimate of 15 000 adults. Participation rate by potential respondents was 90% in the household survey, and 97% for the institutional survey. The overall national prevalence rate of traumatic brain injury is 74.3 per 100 000 (95% CI 66.3–82.4) adults. Prevalence rates are highest in the 45–64 age range. Gender specific rates are 96.9 per 100 000 males and 52.9 per 100 000 females, with a 1.8:1 male to female ratio. The vast majority (84%) of adults with traumatic brain injury reside in household, rather than institutional settings. Prevalence rates allow estimates of the national public health burden of traumatic brain injury. Findings point to the health care burden of middle aged individuals living primarily in community settings.