Ann Dewey

Assessing self-reported risk-behaviours of adults presenting to a minor injuries unit

The health quality of people in Portsmouth is below the English average (Public Health England 2015), with a high rate of non-accidental premature deaths and long-term conditions – cancers, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and respiratory disease – linked to poor diet, inactivity, smoking and the misuse of alcohol. Limited studies document adults attending minor injury units. A profile study was conducted to record the number and types of risk-behaviours in adults presenting at minor injury units. A form was adapted to ask them about smoking, body mass index and alcohol consumption over a period of one month. Of 4,025 clients, 2,818 fell within the inclusion criteria; 1,620 (58%) consented for their data to be used for research, 48% of whom were male, and 93% were white British. The mean age was 42 (SD 16.08), mode was 31. Of the participants, 76% had made a high-risk lifestyle choice, 27% were smokers, 34% were overweight, 38% were obese and 5% consumed high levels of alcohol. The study concluded that there is an opportunity to incorporate healthy conversations into consultations.