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Epidemiological studies of occupational pathology in Ukraine: analysis, formation, prospects

Epidemiological studies of occupational pathology in Ukraine: analysis, formation, prospects

ISSN 2223-6775 Ukrainian journal of occupational health Vol.20, No 4, 2024

https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2024.04.277

Epidemiological Studies of Occupational Pathology in Ukraine: Analysis, Formation, Prospects

Nagorna A. M.

"State Institution "Kundiiev Institute of Occupational Health of National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine", Kyiv

Introduction:

The detection and analysis of occupational morbidity (OM) are critical issues for society, reflecting the health status of labor potential worldwide and in Ukraine. Annually, over 160 million new cases of occupational diseases are reported globally. In Ukraine, the burden of occupational diseases significantly contributes to the overall disease load. Ongoing epidemiological research into the incidence and causes of OM forms the foundation for developing strategies to prevent and mitigate occupational risks.

Purpose of the Study

To identify patterns and explore the prospects for epidemiological investigations of occupational morbidity in Ukraine.

Materials and Methods:

The study utilized data from the Pension Fund of Ukraine, the State Labor Service, the State Committee of Statistics, and the Department of Epidemiological Research at the Yu.I. Kundiyev Institute of Occupational Health. The methodology employed a continuous statistical sample of primary documents for all newly diagnosed and registered OM cases in Ukraine from 1976 to 2023. Additional analysis was performed using the "case-control" method for workers in specific economic activities, comprising tens of thousands of OM cases. Data from 2020–2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and from 2014–2023, encompassing wartime conditions, were separately analyzed.

Results:

Occupational morbidity in Ukraine has been systematically studied since the 1930s. Following the 1979 WHO European Regional Office meeting, occupational hygiene research in Ukraine adopted an epidemiological approach to link OM incidence with working conditions. The prevalence of OM has exhibited a wave-like pattern: First Wave (1976–1990) gradual increase; Second Wave (1990–1999) a peak in 1994, with an eightfold increase in OM cases compared to 1979; Third Wave (2000–2014) stabilization, leading up to the war in 2014; Fourth Wave (2015–present) influenced by the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), Joint Forces Operation (JFO), Russia's annexation of Crimea, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparative analysis of OM levels between 2018–2021 and 2022–2023 reveals that the pandemic and war have altered OM dynamics, leading to either stabilization or a decline, depending on socio-economic conditions.

Conclusions:

The highest incidence of OM is observed among coal industry workers (75–90% of total OM cases), followed by the metallurgical industry (1.0–9.9%) and mechanical engineering (2.9–8.3%). Lower OM rates are recorded in the light, chemical, construction, and agricultural industries. By pathology type: Respiratory diseases: 55.0–67%; Musculoskeletal disorders: 26.8–32.4%; Sensorineural deafness: 7.7–32.4%; Vibration disease: 7.7–9.8%; Chemical-related diseases: 1.2–4.3%. The insights gained from these studies provide a basis for scientifically substantiating recommendations for the primary and secondary prevention of occupational diseases, as well as for minimizing risk factor exposure in the workplace.

Keywords: occupational diseases, epidemiological studies, trends in Ukraine, industrial impact, occupational health dynamics.

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