How Safe Are Industries in India? Ascertaining Industrial Injuries in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, India by Capture-Recapture Method.

CONTEXT

Every year, more than 4 million people die from injuries worldwide. India reported 413,457 deaths due to unintentional injuries in 2015. Manufacturing industry is a major contributor to injury morbidity and mortality.

AIMS

This study aims to estimate the burden of industrial injuries in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, India.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a small territory spread over 491 sq. km, having a population of 343,709 as per 2011 population census.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The two-sample capture-recapture method was used for ascertainment of fatal and non-fatal injuries reported from 1 January to 31 December 2017. The first capture was data of injuries extracted from First Information Reports registered by the police. The recapture was data of injuries reported by the government health facilities.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Chapman estimator was used to derive total fatal and non-fatal injuries. An analysis was done using Microsoft Excel software.

RESULTS

According to police records, there were nine fatal and eight non-fatal injuries during the study period. Health facilities reported 21 fatal and 113 non-fatal injuries. Six cases of fatal and 3 cases of non-fatal injuries were found in both the data sources. The capture-recapture analysis estimated 30 fatal (95% CI: 20 to 40) and 225 non-fatal injuries (95% CI: 90 to 420).

CONCLUSIONS

Both records of police and government health facilities underestimate fatal and non-fatal injuries with under-reporting more pronounced in police records.