Occupational injury patterns of Turkey

Area of Science:

• Occupational health and safety
• Trauma epidemiology
• Public health

Background:

• Preventable occupational accidents and diseases cause significant mortality and disability annually.
• Understanding the characteristics of occupational injuries is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the socio-demographic features, mechanisms, causes, injury areas, and sectoral characteristics of occupational accidents.
• To identify high-risk groups and sectors for occupational injuries.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 654 patients presenting with occupational accidents.
• Evaluation of patient demographics, injury mechanisms, injury types, and injury severity.
• Statistical comparison using Chi-Square, Student's T, and Kruskall-Wallis tests.

Main Results:

• The study included 654 patients, with 93.4% being male and a mean age of 32.96 years.
• Accidents were most prevalent in industrial and construction sectors, with a significant relationship between education level and sector.
• Penetrating injuries were the most common cause (36.4%), and 10.9% of patients recovered with permanent sequelae, while 0.3% died.

Conclusions:

• Occupational accidents predominantly affect young males, especially those with primary education, and occur more frequently during daytime.
• Industrial and construction workers are at higher risk.
• The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce occupational injuries in vulnerable populations.