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

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 . 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 , 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. 1. Introduction Workplace-related traumatic injuries (WRIs) account for a significant proportion of injuries that affect mainly the young population [1]. These injuries are a major source of disability and death leading to serious socioeconomic losses to the family of victims [2]. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), the global mortality (2008) from fatal occupational accidents was 321,000 [3]. In addition, around 317 million workers sustain nonfatal WRI annually, leading to an average loss of productivity of four days or more per year [3]. Most epidemiological information regarding WRI is derived from developed and industrialized countries. An Australian report on fatal WRI observed 374 deaths, a mortality rate of 1.93 per 100 000 workers, in 2010-2011. Of these, 59% were directly job-related, 29% were transport-related, and 12% were bystander fatalities [4]. Data from Singapore showed that the majority of WRI patients were admitted due to fall from height (FFH) (66%) and falling of heavy objects (FHO) (21.9%) at work with a case fatality of 4.7% [5]. International migrants and migrant workers have contributed significantly to the economic growth and rapid development needs of several countries [3]. A review conducted on occupational injury and diseases among immigrant