The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64548

Curtis Breslin, PhD, Institute for Work & Health, 481 University Ave, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M5G 2E9, Canada, 416-927-2027, cbreslin@iwh.on.ca and Peter Smith, MPH, Insitute for Work & Health, 481 University Ave, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M5G 2E9, Canada.

The rate of work injuries, as estimated from administrative data, appears to be higher among adolescent and young adult workers compared to their adult counterparts. However, these injury rates have not been adjusted for work-related factors (e.g., occupation) that might confound these age differences.

Age-related differences in work injuries were examined in a representative sample of Canadians consisting of 5,659 adolescents (aged 15 to 19), 4,844 young adults (aged 20 to 24), and 46,878 respondents over 25. Respondents reported work-related injuries in the past 12 months and work-related factors (e.g., occupation). Total hours worked in the past year was computed for each worker and was accounted for in the logistic regressions. Analyses were stratified by gender.

Among both men and women, adolescents and young adults were at about twice the risk of reporting a work injury compared to adults. However, when work-related factors were controlled, the age related differences were no longer significant. In the fully adjusted model, work-related factors such as certain occupations (manual jobs), physical exertion, part-time status, and short job tenure significantly increased the risk of work injury.

This is the first multivariate study of age-related differences in work injuries in a population-based sample of workers. The lack of age differences in the fully adjusted model suggests that general work-related factors and short job tenure played a predominant role in the elevated risk for youth. However, the cross-sectional nature of the study precludes firm conclusions on the role of youth specific factors (e.g., physical/cognitive development) on risk.

Learning Objectives:

• -Participants will understand a public health approach to understanding work injuries among young workers
• -Participants will learn the importance of conducting multivariate analyses in determining the relative risk of work injuries for youth.
• -Participants will be able to articulate the policy and future research implications of these findings.

Keywords: Occupational Injury and Death, Adolescent Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.