A Two-YeAr STudY on non-fATAl work-relATed InjurIeS Among workerS In dIfferenT occupATIonS

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 nonfatal injuries according to sex, incisions (26.1%) and fractures (47.8%) significantly occurred among males, while sprains/strains and Elghazally SA & Ewis AA 98 Introduction Worldwide, the working environment of millions of people is unsafe (Nenonen et al., 2014 and Mekkodathil et al., 2016). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 20-50% of the workers are exposed to various hazards at their work and this percent is likely to be higher in the developing countries (WHO, 2014). Work-related injuries (WRIs) result from physical, biological, chemical, ergonomic or psychosocial hazards in the workplace (Varacallo and Knoblauch, 2019). WRIs are higher among those whose jobs requiring physical effort, lifting heavy loads, and stooping/kneeling/crouching (Kim et al., 2017). WRIs are considered as a public health problem especially in developing countries (Hämäläinen, 2009). There are different common factors responsible for the occurrence of WRIs such as working at an early age, job experience, smoking status, low monthly salary, absence of health 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.