A Two-Year Study On Non-fata l Work-relat ed Injuries among Workers in Different Occupati ons

Introduction: The working environment of millions of people is unsafe. Workrelated
injuries (WRIs) are associated with bad sequels at individual, community, and
organizational levels at the same time they are preventable and modifiable occupational
health issues. Aim of work: To assess the demographic characteristics and pattern
of reported non-fatal occupational injuries in Assiut Governorate and to identify
some correlates of these types of injuries. Materials and methods: A record-based
retrospective descriptive study was conducted and included all workers (226) with nonfatal
occupational injuries who were registered to the Health Insurance Organization
(HIO) - the Branch of Assiut Governorate during the years 2018 and 2019.For every
injured worker, data were collected regarding: age, gender, residence, occupation of
the worker, site of work, the injured part of body, nature of injuries, event leading to
injury and its outcome. Results: Mean age of the study workers was 39.57± 9.57years.
The largest number of non-fatal occupational injuries in our study was reported from
construction sectors (50.4%). As regards the injury type, fractures constituted 44.7% of
the total injuries followed by contusions and bruises (23.9%). Workers’ falling (51.8%),
struck by blunt objects (16.4%) and accidents (15.9%) were the most commonly reported
causes of injuries. Feet and hands were the most frequently body sites injured (30.5%
and 25.2%). Workers’ falling and feet affections were statistically significantly higher
among healthcare workers (80% and 53.3%) while struck by blunt objects and hands
injuries were statistically significantly higher among manual professionals (25.9% and
35.2%). The occurrence of disabilities among the non-fatal occupational injuries was
8.4%. Regarding the pattern of non- fatal injuries according to sex, incisions (26.1%)
and fractures (47.8%) significantly occurred among males, while sprains/strains and 
joint affections (33.3%) occurred among females. Conclusion: The largest number of
non-fatal occupational injuries in our study was reported from construction sectors.
There was difference in pattern of injuries and disabilities occurrence according to
sex, work sector and occupation. Therefore, it is important to implement successful
occupational health programs to prevent occurrence of occupational injuries especially
at high risk work sectors and promote safer work practices for workers in these sectors.