Injury Rates, Predictors of Workplace Injuries, and Results of an Intervention Program Among Community Health Workers

  1. Kevin J.P. Craib1,
  2. Georgina Hackett2,
  3. Chris Back3,
  4. Yuri Cvitkovich4,
  5. Annalee Yassi5

Article first published online: 20 FEB 2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2007.00616.x

Issue

Public Health Nursing

Public Health Nursing

Volume 24, Issue 2, pages 121–131, March/April 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Craib, K. J., Hackett, G., Back, C., Cvitkovich, Y. and Yassi, A. (2007), Injury Rates, Predictors of Workplace Injuries, and Results of an Intervention Program Among Community Health Workers. Public Health Nursing, 24: 121–131. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2007.00616.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    M.Math., Ph.D., P. Stat., is Statistician/Epidemiologist, Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in BC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and Adjunct Professor, Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,

  2. 2

    M.A.Sc., P. Eng., is Home and Community Care Project Coordinator, Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in BC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,

  3. 3

    B.Sc. (Kin), CCPE, is Ergonomics Program Manager, Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in BC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,

  4. 4

    M.A. (Gero), is Research Associate, Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in BC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and Research Associate, Institute of Health Promotion Research, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,

  5. 5

    M.D., M.Sc., F.R.C.P.C., is Chief Medical and Scientific Director, Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare BC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair and Professor, Department of Healthcare and Epidemiology and Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

* Dr. Annalee Yassi, Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in BC (OHSAH), 301-1195 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6H 3X5. E-mail: annalee@ohsah.bc.ca

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 20 FEB 2007
  2. Article first published online: 20 FEB 2007

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Keywords:

  • home care;
  • injury;
  • intervention;
  • occupational health

ABSTRACT Background: Few incidence studies of workplace injuries among community health workers exist, and evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions in this population is lacking.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of workplace injury among community health workers in British Columbia; to identify predictors of injury; and to assess the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention program in this population.

Methods: Data were collected from an intervention study of 648 community health workers from six agencies to calculate injury rates. Interventions included an education and training module, a risk assessment tool and resource guide, and a lift equipment registry.

Results: The majority of injuries were attributed to overexertion and falls. Annual incidence rates were 20.7% for reported injuries, and 8.1% for time-loss injuries. A history of previous injuries and working full time were predictors of time to first injury report. Participants who received an intervention were significantly more likely to report workplace injuries than participants in the comparison group, but were less likely to incur a time-loss injury.

Conclusions: The interventions used in this study led to increased awareness and an increase in reported injuries but resulted in fewer time-loss injuries. The mechanisms that led to these findings need to be explored further.

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