Epidemiology of occupational injuries and illnesses in a university population: a focus on age and gender differences.
BACKGROUND
Occupational injuries and illnesses are a major preventable public health problem.


METHODS
This study evaluated the incidence, nature, and cause of awarded workers' compensation claims for a large state university and teaching hospital. Rates and types of injury were compared across age and gender.


RESULTS
Rates of injury varied over twofold with age, with those 16-25 having the lowest rates of injury and those 36-45 having the highest rates. Claims rates were 1.36-fold higher for women than men. Women had higher rates for injury resulting from lifting, falling, noxious exposures, repetitive motion, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Similarly women had significantly higher rates of claims for pain, sprains, bruises, burns, concussion, and inhalation injury; with lower rates of cuts, ligament injury, and jammed joints.


CONCLUSIONS
These group differences suggest the need to examine age and gender job distributions and relevant ergonomic and environmental causative factors.
Saleh
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Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. shadi-saleh@uiowa.edu
Fuortes
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Vaughn
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Bauer
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D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014942:Workers' Compensation; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*