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Table 1 Study characteristics (N=8)

From: Traumatic brain injury among people who are homeless: a systematic review

Research study

Quality1 rating

Setting

Sample size (% male); mean age in years (SD); mean duration of homelessness in days (SD)

TBI assessment method

Rate of TBI among sample

Oddy et al. (2012)

12

11 Homeless hostels and day centre services in the UK (dry and wet hostels and day centres)

N=100 (75%); 32.7 (12.3) NR

Self- Report: “Have you ever had an injury to the head which knocked you out or at least left you dazed, confused or disoriented?”

48%

Hux et al. (2009)

11

Homeless shelter in a midwest State (USA)

N=240 (14%); 35.6 (NR); NR

HELPS screening Tool; asks five questions related to events where respondents may have hit their head, the aftermath associated with the event and problems of daily living

20%

Hwang et al. (2008)

15

Shelters and meal programs in Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

N=904 (67%); 37.4 (12.9); 1606 (2154)

Self- Report: “Have you ever had an injury to the head which knocked you out or at least left you dazed, confused or disoriented?”

53%

Kim et al. (2007)

12

Neurosurgical department (Korea)

N = 76 (93%); 40 (53%) were 50 years old or above2; NR

Retrospective review of medical records and radiological films following admission to neurosurgical department

NA3

Solliday- McRoy et al. (2004)

10

Large homeless shelter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA)

N=90 (100%); 41.0 (9.06); 87.7 (75.6)

Self-Report Questionnaire

48%

Gonzalez et al. (2001)

12

Health Care for the Homeless Clinic in Miami, Florida (USA)

N=60 (60%); 39.8 (11.4); NR

Documented instance of concussion or loss of consciousness or the patient's self-report

38%

Cotman & Sandman (1997)

10

Homeless residents of an 18 month residential program in Orange County, California (USA)

N=24 (54%); 30.6 (6.5); NR

Self-report

8%

Bremner et al. (1996)

15

Hostel in London (UK)

N=62 (100%); NR; median duration of last episode, 42 days4

Detailed semi-structured questionnaire to assess health history; Head injury was defined as “sufficient to lose consciousness at some point in their life”

46%

  1. NR, Not reported.
  2. 1Downs and Black quality checklist score; ratings between 12-17 considered good, 6-12 moderate, and <6 poor.
  3. 2Mean age not reported, 36 participants were younger than 50 years old, 40 participants were 50 years old or older.
  4. 3All participants included had a TBI as participants were recruited from a neurosurgical department.
  5. 4Participants were entrants to a homeless shelter therefore current duration of homelessness was not reported.