Work-related injuries in Lebanon: does nationality make a difference?
BACKGROUND
To compare the type, severity, cause, and cost of work-related injuries between Lebanese and non-Lebanese workers in insured workplaces in Lebanon.


METHODS
A total of 4,186 claims and medical reports for 3,748 work-related injuries filed in 1998 at five major insurance companies were reviewed.


RESULTS
Non-Lebanese workers (46%) were younger (29 vs. 31 years), belonged mainly to the construction sector (62% vs. 29%), and were paid less (365 dollars vs. 438 dollars/month) than Lebanese workers. Non-Lebanese construction workers reported more feet and eye injuries. Falls were more common among Lebanese workers while non-Lebanese workers commonly reported being struck by an object. No differences were noted in the severity of injuries (workdays lost; hospitalization) between the two groups, but, overall cost per injury was higher among the Lebanese workers.


CONCLUSIONS
There were no salient differences between Lebanese and non-Lebanese workers regarding severity of work injuries, which may reflect the disparity in access to the Lebanese heath care system by nationality. Syrian migrant workers appear to represent a special group in Lebanon. Additional, in-depth analysis of the social, political, and workplace mechanisms leading to work injuries is recommended.
Nuwayhid
Iman
I
Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. nuwayhid@aub.edu.lb
Fayad
Rim
R
Tamim
Hala
H
Kassak
Kassem
K
Khogali
Mustafa
M
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D013593:Syria / Q000208:ethnology; D014171:Transients and Migrants