BACKGROUND: Injury-related statistics in developing countries are rare. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between occupational and safety-related risk factors and absences from work during the preceding 6 months due to work-related injury among public hospital employees in Costa Rica. METHODS: Data were used from a cross-sectional survey conducted in December 2000 among a stratified random sample of 1000 employees from 10 of the 29 public hospitals in Costa Rica. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, occupational exposures, and organizational risk factors. A dichotomous variable was created to indicate work-injury absence. At-risk employees (n = 466) were classified as having had a work-injury absence if they reported having been absent for at least 1 day in the preceding 6 months because of a work-related injury. OR and 95% CI were calculated using unconditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: There is a greater likelihood of injury-related absence in non-professional occupational positions (ie, auxiliary personnel (OR = 2.29) and general services employees (OR = 5.55)) than in professional positions, and in employees who show poor compliance with safety practices (OR = 2.03) and have high interference from their job task (OR = 3.79) compared with their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Work-injury absence appears not only to be a function of work injury, but also a function of occupation and degree of compliance with safety practices.
BACKGROUND: Injury-related statistics in developing countries are rare. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between occupational and safety-related risk factors and absences from work during the preceding 6 months due to work-related injury among public hospital employees in Costa Rica. METHODS: Data were used from a cross-sectional survey conducted in December 2000 among a stratified random sample of 1000 employees from 10 of the 29 public hospitals in Costa Rica. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, occupational exposures, and organizational risk factors. A dichotomous variable was created to indicate work-injury absence. At-risk employees (n = 466) were classified as having had a work-injury absence if they reported having been absent for at least 1 day in the preceding 6 months because of a work-related injury. OR and 95% CI were calculated using unconditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: There is a greater likelihood of injury-related absence in non-professional occupational positions (ie, auxiliary personnel (OR = 2.29) and general services employees (OR = 5.55)) than in professional positions, and in employees who show poor compliance with safety practices (OR = 2.03) and have high interference from their job task (OR = 3.79) compared with their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Work-injury absence appears not only to be a function of work injury, but also a function of occupation and degree of compliance with safety practices.
Authors: R R Gershon; C D Karkashian; D Vlahov; L Kummer; C Kasting; J Green-McKenzie; J A Escamilla-Cejudo; N Kendig; A Swetz; L Martin Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 1999-03 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: Fernando G Benavides; Jordi Castejón; David Gimeno; Miquel Porta; Jordi Mestres; Pere Simonet Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2005-02 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Sarah A Felknor; Luis Fernando Sequeira; Merri Weinger; Keith D Burau; Leon De Mezerville; George Delclos Journal: Int J Occup Environ Health Date: 2004 Oct-Dec
Authors: Nur Adibah Mat Saruan; Hanizah Mohd Yusoff; Mohd Fadhli Mohd Fauzi; Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh; Rosnawati Muhamad Robat Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-08-24 Impact factor: 3.390