Workplace-Related Traumatic Injuries: Insights from a Rapidly Developing Middle Eastern Country

Abstract

Traumatic workplace-related injuries (WRIs) carry a substantial negative impact on the public health worldwide. We aimed to study the incidence and outcomes of WRIs in Qatar. We conducted occupational injury surveillance for all WRI patients between 2010 and 2012. A total of 5152 patients were admitted to the level 1 trauma unit in Qatar, of which 1496 (29%) sustained WRI with a mean age of 34.3 ± 10.3. Fall from height (FFH) (51%) followed by being struck by heavy objects (FHO) (18%) and motor vehicle crashes (MVC) (17%) was the commonest mechanism of injury (MOI). WRI patients were mainly laborers involved in industrial work (43%), transportation (18%), installation/repair (12%), carpentry (9%), and housekeeping (3%). Use of protective device was not observed in 64% of cases. The mean ISS was 11.7 ± 8.9, median ICU stay was 3 days (1–64), and total hospital stay was 6 days (1–192). The overall case fatality was 3.7%. Although the incidence of WRI in Qatar is quite substantial, its mortality rate is relatively low in comparison to other countries of similar socioeconomic status. Prolonged hospital stay and treatment exert a significant socioeconomic burden on the nation's and families' resources. Focused and efficient injury prevention strategies are mandatory to prevent future WRI.

Trends in occupational injuries and diseases among Saudi and non-Saudi insured workers

“…The global construction sector is the most hazardous for occupational accidents/injuries, with extensive involvement of migrant workers. It has been shown that migrant workers in the construction sector have a significantly high proportion (42%) of severe occupational injuries, which is consistent with our study (18). After construction, trade and manufacturing economic activities were the second and third most problematic groups, respectively, regarding incidence of occupational injuries/diseases among NSIWs.…”

“…The increased trend in occupational injuries for SIWs and NSIWs among industrial, chemical and food workers could have been due to inadequate preventive measures. A recent study reported that occupational injuries among migrant workers were due to stress and depression, which may have been due to job choice and being away from their home country (18). Trends in occupational injuries/diseases increased in Saudi and non-Saudi technicians.…”

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Fall-related Injuries: A Retrospective Study

“…Our finding that more than one out of three (32%) trauma admissions were fall-related, poses a significant impact on the health financial system in the country. It was demonstrated that 95% of the fall injuries in Qatar were work-related [15] and half of the total injuries at work-place were due to falls [2]. Working age group with a mean age of 33 years and males were the main principal victims [15].…”

“…Males were predominant (89%), more likely to fall at workplace, fall from a greater height and experience polytrauma than females. Working age-group (20-59 years) were the major victims (73%), more likely to fall at work place, fall from height comparing to older adults who tend to fall at home, fall from the Epidemiology of fall-related injuries in Qatar remains understudied, however some hospital-based studies on moderate to severe injuries suggest that FFH was the key contributor for work-related injuries (nearly 50%), particularly among the 18-59 age group (97%) [2]. Incidence of fall-related injuries was estimated as 86.7 per 100,000 workers with a mortality rate of 8.44 per 100,000 workers costing over 4.4 million USD, with an average cost of 15,735 USD per patient which is in fact costs 15 times higher than in the United States (1,3).…”

“…(2)(3)(4)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)). The present study described epidemiological and clinical characteristics of fall-related injuries, also by gender, age groups and height of fall.…”