Occupational injuries entail longer sick leave than non-occupational ones: evidence from a developing country and possible implications.

Abstract

Occupational injuries are an important public health and socioeconomic issue due to their effects on morbidity, productivity, and healthcare costs. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare the frequency of occupational and non-occupational injuries, the duration of respective sick leaves, and whether it is related to demographic and clinical factors. To this end, we analysed the data obtained from the information system of the Institute of Occupational and Sports Medicine of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study included 2,075 patients with temporary work incapacity lasting longer than 30 days registered between 1 January and 31 December 2024. Variables included gender, age, ICD-10 diagnosis, and duration of sick leave. The economic burden of occupational injuries was estimated by calculating excess lost workdays compared to those lost to non-occupational injuries and multiplying them by the average gross daily wage in the Republic of Srpska. To approximate employer-related costs, including productivity loss and direct costs, were multiplied by a factor of two. Occupational injuries accounted for 46.2 % of cases and non-occupational injuries for 53.8 %. The mean duration of temporary work incapacity was significantly longer for occupational injuries (91.1±71.5 days) than for non-occupational injuries (78.4±49.6 days; p<0.001). Age significantly influenced sick leave duration, with the longest absences observed in workers aged ≥51 years. Occupational injuries resulted in 12,167 more lost workdays than non-occupational injuries, with an estimated total economic burden of about €885,000. Our findings show that, although less frequent, occupational injuries cause longer sickness absence and greater economic burden and therefore call for improved prevention and post-injury management strategies.