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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Keshia M. Pollack, BA, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, 60 College Street, P.O. Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06511, 203-785-1400, keshia.pollack@yale.edu
Studies that have examined occupational injury sex differences are sparse and have produced conflicting results. Using a cohort of 8,426 male and 748 female aluminum smelter employees, this study examined occupational injuries reported in a company real-time injury surveillance system between 1996 and 2000.
Although females accounted for only 11% of the total injuries, their injury rates were nearly two-fold higher than for male workers (RR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.7-2.1). Job-specific MSD and acute injury rates were also higher for females than males -- rate ratios of 1.5 (95% CI: 1.4-1.7) and 1.8 (95% CI: 1.6-2.0). Females were less likely than males to receive first aid (53% vs. 55%) and to require medical treatment (21% vs. 26%), but were more likely to require restricted work (21% vs. 15%) or have lost work time (5% vs. 3%) post injury. In those instances that lost time or restricted time was needed, it was typically longer for females than for males (median days of lost work time 56 and 35, respectively). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, evaluating time to first recorded injury, found that sex was the only significant covariate. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed shorter time to first recorded injury for females compared to male workers. Although female workers were slightly younger and had less tenure on the job than males, these covariates did not explain the injury rate differences.
As females continue to enter segments of the workforce traditionally dominated by males, increased research and targeted injury prevention efforts are needed.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.