The aetiology of acute traumatic occupational hand injuries seen at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
Date
2017
Authors
Stewart, Andrew
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Abstract
Introduction: Acute traumatic occupational hand injuries are the second most common cause of all traumatic hand injuries in both developed and developing countries and the most commonly injured body part during occupational accidents. Traumatic hand injuries account for approximately one third of all traumatic injuries seen at state hospitals in South Africa. The aetiology of occupational hand injures in South Africa is unknown.
Aim: The purpose of this research was to highlight the patient demographics and types of hand injuries sustained on duty and to identify the common causes and risk factors for these injuries.
Materials and Methods: An observational cross sectional study was done at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) between January and July 2016. A total of 35 patients over the age of 18 years were interviewed using a specially designed questionnaire.
Results: The results showed that the patients were predominantly male (88,5%) between the ages of 20 - 61 years old (average 35 years), 54% dropped out of school before grade 11. The average monthly income was low (R1000 - R9000 pm) and 85% were the primary breadwinner in the household. Only 51% of the patients had ‘formal’ employment, the rest were either selfemployed, contract workers or had intermittent ‘piece’ jobs. The majority of injuries occurred to machine operators, general manual labourers and construction workers. Of the patients, 80% had never received any occupation specific training and 71% of the patients were not using any gloves for protection at the time of injury. The three most common sources of injury were power tools, powered machines and building material. Lacerations, crush injuries and fractures were the most common type of injury seen, involving predominantly the index,
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middle and ring finger. Twenty eight percent sustained minor injuries, 34% moderate, 20% severe and 17% major as defined by the Hand Injury Severity Score.
Conclusion: Patients with traumatic work related hand injuries are poorly trained and often aren’t provided with protective gloves. They typically injure their index, middle and ring finger using either a power tool, powered machine or by handling building material. The injuries sustained are most commonly lacerations, fractures and crush injuries. As a result, occupational health and safety must be improved to reduce the socio-economic burden of these injuries. Novel ways of improving safety in the informal labour market are required
Description
A research report submitted to the faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Orthopaedic surgery, Johannesburg 2017