Occupational injury and disease among patients presenting to general practitioners in a community health centre

A prospective survey was conducted of all patients presenting over a six-month period to the primary medical care unit of a community health centre in an urban industrial area to determine the number and types of work-related injuries and disease, the causes, and details of the injured workers and their workplaces. Two-hundred and eighty-three patients, 7.2 per cent of the total number of patients attending, were diagnosed as having a work-related injury or disease; 250 patients had occupational injuries and 33 had occupational diseases. The most common injuries were open wounds, sprains and strains, contusions and eye injuries; the most frequent diseases were musculoskeletal strain syndromes, dermatitis and respiratory conditions. Most of those injured were skilled tradesmen or labourers from small (less than 30 employees) or medium-sized (30 to 99 employees) manufacturing workplaces. In five of the local medium-sized workplaces, more than 10 per cent of the workforce presented with occupational injury or disease in the six months. The mechanisms of injury for common injuries such as back strain and eye injuries are described. Most patients were managed totally within the primary care setting. Thirty per cent of all patients surveyed received a worker's compensation certificate. It is possible that occupational diseases were underdiagnosed and that worker's compensation was underutilized. The information obtained from the survey is being used in planning prevention.