Pattern of traumatic occupational injuries in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

A BSTRACT Background: In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the labor market is thriving, employing a large workforce in occupations that carry a high risk for traumatic injuries such as construction, transportation, and manufacturing. These jobs usually involve physical exertion, power tools, high-voltage electricity, working at heights, and exposure to bad weather conditions that could potentially lead to injury. This study aimed to determine patterns of traumatic occupational injuries in Riyadh, KSA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Khalid Hospital and Prince Sultan Centre for Healthcare, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, and the Al-Kharj Military Industries Corporation Hospital in Al-Kharj City in the KSA between July 2021 and 2022. Descriptive analysis elucidated the type, severity, and patterns of management of non-fatal traumatic occupational injuries. A Kaplan–Meier survival curve and Weibull model for length of hospital stay adjusted for age, gender, nationality, cause for injury, and injury severity scale (ISS) scores were constructed. Results: A total of 73 patients with a mean age of 33.8 ± 14.1 years were included in the study. The most common cause of occupational injury was falling from height (87.7%). The median length of hospital stay was 6 days (IQR: 4 − 7), with no mortalities. In the adjusted survival model, compared to migrants, Saudi nationals had a 45% lower median hospital stay (−62 to − 21), P < 0.01, and every 1-point increase in ISS was associated with a 5% increase in median length of hospital stay (CI: 3 − 7, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Being a Saudi national and having lower ISS scores were associated with shorter durations of hospital stay. Our findings indicate the need for improved occupational safety measures, especially among migrant, foreign-born, and ethnic minority workers.