A case control study of differences in non-work injury and accidents among sawmill workers in rural compared to urban British Columbia, Canada.
BACKGROUND
Using a cohort of British Columbian male sawmill workers, we conducted a nested case-control study of the impact of rural compared to urban residence as well as rural/urban migration patterns in relation to hospitalization for non-work injury. We postulate that for many types of non-work injuries, rates will be higher in rural communities than in urban ones and that rates will also be higher for workers who migrate from urban to rural communities.


METHODS
Using conditional logistic regression, univariate models were first run with each of five non-work injury outcomes. These outcomes were hospitalizations due to assault, accidental poisoning, medical mis-adventure, motor vehicle trauma, and other non-work injuries. In multivariate models marital status, ethnicity, duration of employment, and occupation were forced into the model and associations with urban, compared to rural, residence and various urban/migration patterns were tested.


RESULTS
Urban or rural residence and migration status from urban to other communities, and across rural communities, were not associated with hospitalization for medical misadventure, assault, or accidental poisoning. The likelihood of a rural resident being hospitalized for motor vehicle trauma is higher than for an urban resident. The likelihood that a rural resident is hospitalized for "other" non-work injury is higher than for an urban resident.


CONCLUSIONS
In a relatively homogenous group of workers, and using a rigorous study design, we have demonstrated that the odds of other non-work injury are much higher for workers resident in and migrating to rural regions of Canada than they are for workers resident in or migrating to urban places.
Ostry
Aleck
A
Department of Geography, PO BOX 3060 STN CSC, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 3R4, Canada. ostry@uvic.ca
Maggi
Stefania
S
Hershler
Ruth
R
Chen
Lisa
L
Louie
Amber
A
Hertzman
Clyde
C
D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D016468:Forestry; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017132:Workplace; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology