A case control study of differences in non-work injury and accidents among sawmill workers in rural compared to urban British Columbia, Canada
Date
2009-11-25
Authors
Ostry, Aleck
Maggi, Stefania
Hershler, Ruth
Chen, Lisa
Louie, Amber
Hertzman, Clyde
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
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.
Conclusion: 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.
Description
BioMed Central
Keywords
Citation
Ostry et al. A case control study of differences in non-work injury and accidents among sawmill workers in rural compared to urban British Columbia, Canada. BMC Public Health 2009, 9:432