PATTERNS OF OCCUPATIONAL MORBIDITY IN ZAMBIA, 2008-2018: A DESCRIPTIVE DATABASE STUDY

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe characteristics of occupational morbidity in Zambia over an eleven year period: 2008-2018. METHODS A descriptive retrospective observational study based on compensation claims database from the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) in Zambia over the period 2008 to 2018 was conducted. All the accepted compensation claims at WCFCB during the period 2008 to 2018 were reviewed. The reference population of the study was all workers in Zambia covered by WCFCB at the time. All the accepted compensation claims during the period were taken up into the study. Stata version 14 was used to analyze the data, and make descriptive tables and graphs. RESULTS The total number of reviewed and analyzed cases was 8,009. The gender most affected by occupational morbidity was males (94%). Married males were more affected (72%) compared to single males. However, single females were more affected than the married females at 4% and 2%, respectively. The major morbidity types were wounds (30%), fractures (29%), and amputations (17%). The biggest contributing industries to the cause of occupational morbidity were manufacturing (27%), and mining (19%). Lusaka and Copperbelt regions were the main epicenters at 49% and 34% respectively. CONCLUSION Wounds, fractures and amputations were the most prominent types of occupational morbidity. Traditional gender-based practices of married males seem to underlie their over-exposure to occupational hazards. Manufacturing sector which is poorly regulated compared to the mining sector, was the highest contributor to the occupational morbidity. The manufacturing sector should be subjected to stronger government regulation and inspectorate, with emphasis on compliance to relevant international occupational health and safety protocols. ARTICLE SUMMARY Strengths and limitations of the study The study utilized the WCFCB injury and disease compensation claims data as a proxy to establish the national burden of occupational morbidity in Zambia during the study period, hence contributing to the body of knowledge. WCFCB does not cover government ministries and the informal sector in the country which accounts for about 89.3% of the total labour force, the injuries and diseases being contracted in the foretasted sectors were never reported to the institution; and hence making findings of our study an understatement of the actual national burden. Since submission of compensation claims is generally motivated by receiving monetary benefits for an injury or disease contracted, cases of less magnitude are not reported to WCFCB, hence could not be captured in the study. Out of many diseases WCFCB only recognize pneumoconiosis and pulmonary tuberculosis as occupational diseases, hence our study could only assess those two making the study an understatement of the actual occupational disease burden.