Preschool children's absenteeism from Swedish municipal day-care centres because of illness in 1977 and 1990. Geographical variations and characteristics of the day-care centres.

Abstract

A study was undertaken to compare the absenteeism from Swedish day-care centre departments (DCCDs) because of illness in different geographical areas in 1977 and 1990, and to determine whether any characteristics of DCCDs could explain variations in absenteeism. Recordings of absenteeism were made during the same three months among 0-6-year-olds enrolled at 476 DCCDs in 1977 and at 561 DCCDs in 1990. Absenteeism was measured as the number of days in which the children did not attend their DCCD because of any illness divided by the total number of days for which they could have attended. The results, which are representative for Sweden, showed that absenteeism was highest in the three largest cities and their suburbs and in industrial areas, and lowest in rural and sparsely populated municipalities. In all geographical areas absenteeism was higher in 1977 than in 1990. Among the 0-2-year-olds, absenteeism was higher among those enrolled in groups for young children that among those in extended groups for siblings. For the 0-2-year-olds, the amount of time spent outdoors together with the day-care group was inversely associated with absenteeism.