Home and work-related injuries in Makwanpur district, Nepal: a household survey

Abstract

Objective: This paper describes the epidemiology of home- and work-related injuries, their mechanisms, inequalities and costs associated with these injuries. Methods A household survey was undertaken in three palikas (administrative areas) of Makwanpur district between April-June, 2019. Data were collected electronically on non-fatal injuries that occurred in the previous three months and fatal injuries that occurred in the previous five years. Findings 17,593 individuals were surveyed from 3,327 households. The injury rate was 8.0/1000 population for home injuries and 6.4/1000 for work-related injuries; 61.0% of home injuries were among females and 69.9% of work-related injuries among males. Forty-eight percent of all home injuries were due to falls (28 males (50.9%) and 40 females (46.5%)); burn/scalds were higher among females 15 (10.5%). Cuts and piercings accounted for 40% of all work-related injuries and 36.3% were falls. Injury incidence varied by ethnic group: home injuries were highest in Brahmin (12/1000) and work-related injuries highest in Rai groups (21.0 per 1000). The total mean cost of work-related injury was US$143.3 (SD 276.7), higher than for home injuries (US$130.4, SD 347.6). The number of home (n=74, 64.9%) and work-related (n=67, 77.9%) injuries were higher in families below the poverty line (<US$1.9) than families in the next income bracket (US$1.9-3.2)(home: n=22, 19.3%; work: n=11, 12.8%). Conclusions Home and occupational fall injuries are common. The inequalities in injury identified in our study by rurality, age, sex, income level and ethnic group can help target injury prevention interventions for vulnerable groups.