Citation

Thamrin Y, Pisaniello D, Guerin C, Rothmore P. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018; 15(3): e15030456.

Affiliation

School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia. paul.rothmore@adelaide.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph15030456

PMID

29509703

Abstract

International university students are a growing section of the workforce and are thought to be at greater risk of injury. Qualitative studies have highlighted vulnerabilities, but there is a shortage of quantitative research exploring the injury experience and associated risk factors of this emerging issue. In this study, a total of 466 university student workers across a range of study programs in a single Australian university completed an online survey, with questions relating to their background, working experience, training and injury experience. Risk factors for injury were explored in a multivariate statistical model. More than half had not received any safety training before they started work, and 10% reported having had a work injury. About half of these injuries occurred after training. Statistically significant risk factors for injury included working more than 20 h per week (adjusted odds ratio 2.20 (95% CI 1.03-4.71) and lack of confidence in discussing safety issues (AOR 2.17; 95% CI 1.13-4.16). The findings suggest the need for a more engaging and effective approach to safety education and a limit on working hours. This situation is a moral challenge for universities, in that they are effectively sponsoring young workers in the community. It is recommended that longitudinal studies of international student workers be conducted.

Language: en

Keywords

injury; international students; risk factor; university; worker