Mortality and Years of Life Lost Due to Occupational Injury in Iran (2012-2016)

Abstract

Background: Occupational injury is a cause of premature mortality, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. Occupational injuries estimated to kill more than 300,000 workers worldwide every year. We estimated the years of life lost (YLL) of fatal unintentional occupational injuries in Iran for the five years of 2012-2016.

Study design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: To estimate the YLL, registered deaths due to occupational unintentional injury were identified from the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization. Estimated YLL was calculated according to Global Burden of Disease 2010 guideline. Population life expectancy in each corresponding years was retrieved from the national health database. All data collected entered into Excel software for calculations.

Results: In 2012-2016, fatal unintentional occupational injuries were the cause of 8,606 deaths in Iran, resulting in 4.6 prematurely lost life yr per 1000 males and 0.3 yr per 1000 females among workers, every year. 98.7% of the deaths occurred in males. Males from 15 to 19 yr of age and females from 10 to 14 yr of age showed the highest YLL rates. The rate of YLLs per 1,000 workers per year was 3.99 overall, 4.6 in males, and 0.4 in females.

Conclusion: Premature mortality due to occupational injury is still a serious problem in the Iranian population. Our findings may be useful from a health policy perspective for designing and prioritizing interventions focused on the prevention of premature loss of life. Known prevention strategies need to be implemented widely to diminish avoidable injuries in the workplace.