Nonfatal Unintentional Injuries and Related Factors Among Male Construction Workers in Central China

Background: Work-related injuries (WRIs) among construction workers have recently emerged as an important public health issue as the construction industry is booming in China. We investigated nonfatal unintentional work-related injuries and risk factors among male construction workers in central China.

Methods: A purposive sampling method was used in 2008 to select 1,260 male workers from 24 construction sites. WRIs that occurred in the past 12 months and possible risk factors were asked about in face-to-face interviews.

Results: Among 1,260 male construction workers, 189 workers reported WRIs. The annual prevalence of nonfatal WRIs was 15.0 per 100 workers (95% confidence interval (CI): 13.0-17.0). The top three leading causes of injuries were collisions (27.3 per 100 workers), cuts/piercings (17.5 per 100 workers), and falls (15.5 per 100 workers). WRIs were significantly associated with high cigarette pack-year index (PYI > or = 20 vs. nonsmoker: adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.31-4.76), serious alcohol consumption (> or =30ml/day vs. nondrinker: adjusted OR = 1.73, 95 %CI: 1.12-2.69), not having injury prevention and safety education (adjusted OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.22-3.44), and had depressive symptoms (adjusted OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.22-5.67).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that annual prevalence of nonfatal construction injuries is high in central China and serious cigarette smoking, serious alcohol consumption, not having injury prevention and safety education, and depressive symptoms are considered important factors for those injuries.