[Hospital Management of Work-related injuries in informal sector: case of artisanal fishing in Saint-Louis (Senegal)].

OBJECTIVES

to determine the mechanisms, lesions and hospital management of work-related accidentduringtraditional fishing,an activity subject to vital occupational risks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Descriptive retrospective study on occupational injury files in artisanal fishing professions, registered at the Saint-Louis Regional Hospital (Senegal), from January 2014 to December 2019. All complete records of trauma during any activity related to artisanal fishingwereincluded. Data on accident mechanisms, injuries observed, and hospital management were collected.

RESULTS

47 male workers were on average 28.4 years old. Direct shock from a pirogue was most frequent (68.10%), followed by sharp or blunt objects (16.27%). The lesions were characterized by bone fractures in 63.83% of cases (n=30); chest-abdominal-pelvic and limb contusions and wounds represented 12.67% and 21.27% of cases, respectively. Medical management was done in 21 cases (44.7%). Surgery was dominated by intramedullary nailing in 15 cases (31.9%). Two laparotomies were performed with intestinal sutures. A chest contusion death was reported.

CONCLUSION

Traumatic occupational risks in traditional fishing are life threatening. A better understanding of these risks and their consequencesmakes it possible to ensure good prevention.