Prevalence Of Sickness Absence Research Articles

Sexual-orientation differences in risk of health-related impaired ability to work and to remain in the paid workforce: a prospective population-based twin study

BackgroundStudies consistently show an increased risk of poor health among sexual minorities (i.e., those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual [LGB] or other non-heterosexuals individuals), as compared to those identifying as heterosexual. It is largely unknown whether the increased risk of mental and physical health problems among sexual minorities is also reflected in an increased risk of health-related impaired ability to work, in terms of sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP), or successfully remain in the paid workforce. This study made use of a large sample of Swedish twins with self-reported information about sexual behavior in young adulthood to examine sexual orientation difference in SA and DP during a 12-year follow-up period.MethodData from the Swedish Twin project of Disability pension and Sickness absence (STODS), including Swedish twins born 1959–1985 was used (N = 17,539; n = 1,238 sexual minority). Self-report survey data on sexual behavior was linked to information about SA and DP benefits from the MicroData for Analysis of the Social Insurance database (MiDAS), the National Social Insurance Agency. Sexual orientation differences in SA and DP between 2006 and 2018 was analyzed, as well as, the influence of sociodemographic, social stress exposure (i.e., victimization, discrimination), mental health treatment, and family confounding on these differences.ResultsCompared to heterosexuals, sexual minorities were more likely to having experienced SA and having been granted DP. The odds were highest for DP, where sexual minorities were 58% more likely to having been granted DP compared to heterosexuals. The higher odds for SA due to any diagnosis could largely be explained by sociodemographic factors. The higher odds of SA due to mental diagnosis could partially be explained by increased risk of being exposed to discrimination and victimization, and partially by having received treatment with antidepressant medication. The higher odds of being granted DP could also partially be explain by increased risk of being exposed to social stress and treatment with antidepressant medication.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study to report on sexual orientation differences in risk of SA and DP in a population-based sample. We found higher period prevalence of both SA and DP among sexual minorities as compared to heterosexuals. The higher odds of SA and DP could partially or fully be explained by sexual orientation differences in sociodemographic factors, exposure to social stress, and antidepressant treatment for depression. Future studies can extend these findings by continuing to investigate risk factors for SA and DP among sexual minorities and how such factors can be reduced.

Sickness absence and disability pension in white-collar workers in the trade and retail industry

Abstract Background Very little is known about sickness absence among white-collars workers in the trade and retail industry, despite being a large and important group on the labour market. The aim was to investigate future sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) in a cohort of privately employed white-collar employees in the trade and retail industry. Methods A prospective population-based cohort study of all 192,077 such white-collar workers (44% women) in Sweden in 2012, using linked microdata from three nationwide registers covering 2012-2016. Prevalence and mean number of SA and/or DP net days/year in general and by diagnoses categories were calculated for all and also stratified by sex. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between sociodemographic and work-related factors and future SA/DP. Results The proportion who had SA and/or DP was higher in women (10-13%, depending on year) than men (4-6%) each year. Each studied year, women had more mean SA/DP net days than men in the entire cohort, however, among those who had SA and/or DP, there were no gender differences regarding the mean number of net days. The mean number of SA/DP net days increased for both women and men each year, especially SA due to mental diagnoses. SA in 2012 was the strongest factor associated with SA/DP in 2016 (OR women 3.28, 95% CI 3.09-3.47; men 4.10, 95% CI 3.76-4.48). Work-related factors were only weakly or insignificantly associated with future SA/DP. The ORs for most factors were stronger for men than for women. Conclusions More knowledge about the mechanisms behind these results are needed. Some SA/DP measures showed large sex-differences, others not - it is important to use different measures to show the complexity of these phenomena. Several factors were more strongly associated with SA/DP among men than among women, indicating that there are other factors of importance for women. Key messages

The role of managerial leadership in sickness absence in health and social care: antecedent or moderator in the association between psychosocial working conditions and register-based sickness absence? A longitudinal study based on a swedish cohort

BackgroundThe prevalence of sickness absence is particularly high among employees in health and social care, where psychosocial work stressors are pertinent. Managerial leadership is known to affect sickness absence rates, but the role leadership plays in relation to sickness absence is not fully understood; that is, whether poor leadership (i) is associated with sickness absence directly, (ii) is associated with sickness absence indirectly through the establishment of poor psychosocial working conditions, or (iii) whether good leadership rather has a buffering role in the association between work stressors and sickness absence.MethodsFour biennial waves from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH, 2010–2016, N=2333) were used. Autoregressive cross-lagged analyses within a multilevel structural equation modelling (MSEM) framework were conducted to test hypotheses i)–iii), targeting managerial leadership, register-based sickness absence and psychosocial work stressors (high psychological demands, poor decision authority and exposure to workplace violence).ResultsA direct association was found between poor leadership and sickness absence two years later, but no associations were found between leadership and the psychosocial work stressors. Finally, only in cases of poor leadership was there a statistically significant association between workplace violence and sickness absence.ConclusionsPoor managerial leadership may increase the risk of sickness absence among health and social care workers in two ways: first, directly and, second, by increasing the link between workplace violence and sickness absence.

Sustainable Working Life in a Swedish Twin Cohort-A Definition Paper with Sample Overview.

Background: A unified or consensus definition of “sustainable working life” remains lacking, although studies investigating risk factors for labour market exit are numerous. In this study, we aimed (1) to update the information and to explore a definition of “sustainable working life” via a systematic literature review and (2) to describe the working life trajectories via the prevalence of sickness absence (SA), disability pension (DP), and unemployment in a Swedish twin cohort to provide a sample overview in our Sustainable Working Life-project. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to explore the studies with the search phrase “sustainable working life” in PubMed, PsycInfo, and the Web of Science Database of Social Sciences in January 2021, resulting in a total of 51 references. A qualitative synthesis was performed for the definitions and the measures of “sustainable working life.” Based on the Swedish Twin project Of Disability pension and Sickness absence (STODS), the current dataset to address sustainable working life includes 108 280 twin individuals born between 1925 and 1990. Comprehensive register data until 2016 for unemployment, SA and DP were linked to all individuals. Using STODS, we analysed the annual prevalence of SA, DP, and unemployment as working life trajectories over time across education and age groups. Results: The reviewed 16 full articles described several distinct definitions for sustainable working life between 2007 and 2020 from various perspectives, i.e., considering workplaces or employees, the individual, organizational or enterprise level, and the society level. The definition of “sustainable working life” appearing most often was the swAge-model including a broad range of factors, e.g., health, physical/mental/psychosocial work environment, work motivation/satisfaction, and the family situation and leisure activities. Our dataset comprised of 81%–94% of individuals who did not meet SA, DP, or unemployment during the follow-up in 1994–2016, being indicative for “sustainable working life.” The annual prevalence across years had a decreasing trend of unemployment over time, whereas the prevalence of SA had more variation, with DP being rather stable. Both unemployment and DP had the highest prevalence among those with a lower level of education, whereas in SA, the differences in prevalence between education levels were minor. Unemployment was highest across the years in the youngest age group (18–27 years), the age group differences for SA were minor, and for DP, the oldest age group (58–65 years) had the highest prevalence. Conclusions: No consensus exists for a “sustainable working life,” hence meriting further studies, and we intend to contribute by utilising the STODS database for the Sustainable Working Life project. In the upcoming studies, the existing knowledge of available definitions and frameworks will be utilised. The dataset containing both register data and self-reports enables detailed follow-up for labour market participation for sustainable working life.

Association of work performance with absenteeism and presenteeism among support workers in a medical school hospital, Thailand

PurposeThe aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of absenteeism and presenteeism and explore their association with work performance among support workers in a medical school hospital in Thailand.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,102 support workers in the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, in June–August 2020. The World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ) was used to assess absenteeism, presenteeism, work performance and related factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between current work performance and absenteeism and presenteeism in the past year.FindingsA total of 505 (45.8%) support workers completed the self-report questionnaire. Prevalence of sickness absence, non-sickness absence and presenteeism in the past year was 54.2%, 81.4% and 48.1%, respectively. Sickness absence and presenteeism in the past year were significantly associated with increased odds of poor work performance: (OR 3.05, 95% CI: 1.24–7.49) and (OR 5.12, 95% CI: 2.25–11.64), respectively. Support workers with high levels of stress and burnout were 3.89 (95% CI: 1.56–9.68) and 2.66 (95% CI: 1.50–4.72) times more likely to report poor work performance.Originality/valueSickness absence and presenteeism are associated with poor work performance in hospital support workers. Other factors such as stress and burnout also contribute to poor work performance, and interaction among these factors needs further research. To improve productivity, hospital administrators might consider intervention programs to enhance work performance among workers with sickness absence and presenteeism.

The prevalence of sickness absence among primary school pupils \u2013 reason to be worried?

BackgroundAbsence from school can lead to lower educational achievement and poor health. Little is known about school absence in primary education. This study’s first aim was to examine the prevalence of school absence in primary schools and differing types of absence, including sickness absence. The second aim was to determine which pupil characteristics and types of absence were associated with extensive sickness absence.MethodsThe school absence registries for the school year 2015–2016 were analysed retrospectively in eight mainstream primary schools with 2216 pupils, and six schools for special primary education with 1000 pupils in the West-Brabant region of the Netherlands. Descriptive analyses, χ2-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsThe one-year prevalence of school absence was 85% in mainstream primary schools and 79% in special schools. Sickness absence was the most prevalent type of absence, occurring in 75 and 71% of pupils, respectively The prevalence of extensive sickness absence was 13 and 23%, respectively. In mainstream schools, extensive sickness absence was associated with a young age, low parental educational level, more doctor’s visits and unauthorised absence, and in special schools with more doctor’s visits, other authorised absence, tardiness and unauthorised absence.ConclusionsThe prevalence of extensive sickness absence was high, and as this was associated with other types of absence, these pupils missed even more days of school. Public health research, policy and practice should address sickness absence among primary school pupils, to prevent adverse effects on children’s development.

Sickness absence and disability pension among swedish women prior to breast cancer relapse with a special focus on the roles of treatment and comorbidity.

ABSTRACTObjectiveWe aimed to determine the longitudinal prevalence and the predictors of sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) in breast cancer (BC) women who eventually developed relapse.MethodsA total of 1293 BC women, who were ages 20–63 years, diagnosed between 1996 and 2011 and by 2016 had all developed relapse, were identified in Swedish registers and were followed from two years before to five years after their primary diagnosis, while they were relapse‐free. Annual prevalence of SA and DP was calculated. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for long‐term SA (>30 days) at one (y1) and three (y3) years post‐diagnosis.ResultsPrevalence of long‐term SA was 68.1% in y1 and 16.3% in y5. Prevalence of DP progressively increased from 16.3% in y1 to 29.0% in y5. Predictors of long‐term SA included age <50 years (y1:AOR = 1.79 [1.39–2.29]), TNM stage III (y1:AOR = 1.54 [1.03‐2.31]; y3:AOR = 2.21 [1.32–3.72]), metastasis (y1:AOR = 1.64 [1.26–2.12]; y3:AOR = 1.51 [1.05–2.18]), comorbidity (y1:AOR = 2.41 [1.55–3.76]; y3 AOR = 4.62 [2.49–8.57]) and any combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy (y1:AOR = 2.05–5.71).ConclusionAmong BC women who later developed relapse, those who had higher stages of BC, had comorbidity and received neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy were at significantly higher risk of needing long‐term SA after their diagnosis.

Occupational exposures and genetic susceptibility to occupational exposures are related to sickness absence in the Lifelines cohort study

In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the association between occupational exposures and sickness absence (SA), the mediating role of respiratory symptoms, and whether genetic susceptibility to SA upon occupational exposures exists. Logistic regression was used to examine associations and structural equation modelling was used for mediation analyses. Genetic susceptibility was investigated by including interactions between occupational exposures and 11 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Biological dust, mineral dust, and pesticides exposure were associated with a lower prevalence of any SA (OR (95% CI) = 0.72 (0.58–0.89), 0.88 (0.78–0.99), and 0.70 (0.55–0.89), respectively) while gases/fumes exposure was associated with a higher prevalence of long-term SA (1.46 (1.11–1.91)). Subjects exposed to solvents and metals had a higher prevalence of any (1.14 (1.03–1.26) and 1.68 (1.26–2.24)) and long-term SA (1.26 (1.08–1.46) and 1.75 (1.15–2.67)). Chronic cough and chronic phlegm mediated the association between high gases/fumes exposure and long-term SA. Two of 11 SNPs investigated had a positive interaction with exposure on SA and one SNP negatively interacted with exposure on SA. Exposure to metals and gases/fumes showed a clear dose–response relationship with a higher prevalence of long-term SA; contrary, exposure to pesticides and biological/mineral dust showed a protective effect on any SA. Respiratory symptoms mediated the association between occupational exposures and SA. Moreover, gene-by-exposure interactions exist.

Sickness absence and disability pension among Swedish women before breast cancer relapse.

e14121 Background: Sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) from diagnosis of primary breast cancer (BC) among patients who in a later stage will develop a recurrence or metastatic disease is unknown. This study explores the prevalence and risk factors of SA and DP in this study population before and after primary breast cancer diagnosis. Methods: Longitudinal register data on 1,310 female patients living in Sweden (age 20 to 63 years) diagnosed with primary BC between 1996 to 2011, were analyzed for annual prevalence of SA days and DP starting 2 years pre- to 5 years postdiagnosis. Logistic regressions were used to explore associations between primary BC characteristics and future SA. Results: 579 (44.2%) had loco-regional recurrence after a median of 2.5 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 1.3-4.3) and 731 (55.8%) had a metastatic disease after a median of 2.3 years (IQR = 1.3-4.1). 320 (24.4%) of 1,310 were still relapse-free 5 years postdiagnosis. SA was high during year 1 postdiagnosis but decreased steadily through year 5 (67.9%, 40.3%, 29.0%, 23.9%, 19.4%, respectively), while DP steadily increased during this time period (16.4%, 17.5%, 19.7%, 24.9%, 28.7%, respectively). The annual prevalence of SA over 180 days among patients who later were diagnosed with metastatic disease was constantly higher compared to patients who later were diagnosis of loco-regional recurrence. Pre-diagnosis SA, age &lt; 50 years at the time of diagnosis, higher tumor stage, chemotherapy and future metastatic disease were associated with higher odds ratios for SA (odds ratio range, 1.56 to 4.42) Conclusions: In conclusion, longitudinal rates of SA and DP in a cohort of women with early BC, of whom a part developed disease relapse during follow-up were higher compared to previous studies. These are unique findings as previously published studies excluded patients with disease relapse. Patients at increased risk for SA, should be assessed and triaged to optimize chances for a smooth transition to return to work after oncological treatment.

Earnings among people with multiple sclerosis in Sweden, by education and occupation

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) may affect the individual’s working life. We aimed to 1) investigate the mean levels and distributions of earnings among people with MS (PwMS) before and after MS diagnosis compared to people without an MS diagnosis, and whether such differences in earnings were associated with educational level or occupation and 2) assess the prevalence of sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP). Methods Population-based cohort study (10 years prior to 5 years after MS diagnosis) using microdata linked from nationwide Swedish registers of all individuals aged 30-54 with MS diagnosed in 2003-2006 (n = 2553) and references without MS (n = 7584) randomly selected by stratified matching (sex and age). Annual mean earnings, by educational level and type of occupation, were compared with t-tests. Tobit regressions investigated the associations of earnings with individual characteristics. Lastly, the proportions on SA and DP, stratified by educational level and type of occupation, were examined in the diagnosis year and 5 years later. Results Differences in earnings between PwMS and references were observed beginning one year prior to diagnosis and increased with time. PwMS had lower mean earnings for the diagnosis year (difference=SEK 28,000, p-value&amp;lt;0.05), and the difference had more than doubled (p-value&amp;lt;0.05) 5 years later. These differences remained after taking educational level and type of occupation into account. PwMS with university education and/or more qualified occupations had mean earnings most like their respective references’. PwMS had higher prevalence of SA and DP than the references, in both the diagnosis year and 5 years later. Conclusions Earnings of people with MS were lower than references’ already one year before diagnosis, and the gap increased thereafter. Results indicate that educational level and type of occupation are of importance for earnings. Moreover, SA and DP were more common among people with MS. Key messages Our results indicate that working-aged people with MS have less earnings than references already one year before diagnosis and that thereafter this gap in earnings increases with time. Education and occupation were influential in explaining the people with MS’ heterogeneous earnings, with a hierarchal ordering of who maintained similar earnings to their respective peers.

Prevalence of Sickness Absence and Its Sociodemographic and Occupational Factors in a Public Service Organization

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Mental health by gender-specific occupational groups: Profiles, risks and dominance of predictors

BackgroundWe defined gender-specific profiles of mental ill-health for the main occupational groups using three outcomes; antidepressant use, sickness absence (SA) due to depression, and suicides. We also examined which occupational groups had the highest risk of the outcomes, and compared the importance of their predictors. MethodsFrom a random register cohort of Finnish working age population, individuals in the six largest occupational groups in 2004 for men and women were included (N = 414 357). We used register data to define the first antidepressant purchase (i.e. use), the first long-term SA spell for depression, and suicide between Jan 1st 2005 and Dec 31st 2014. We assessed the risk of each outcome by occupational group with logistic regression models, and used dominance analysis to compare the relative importance of predictors. ResultsIn all six occupational groups for women, the prevalence of antidepressant use and SA for depression was higher than in the men's occupational groups. The opposite was observed for suicides. The risk of antidepressant use was lower, but the risk of suicide was 2-times higher among men in low vs. high-skilled occupations. Among women, a lower skill-level was associated with a higher risk of SA due to depression. Gender was the most important predictor of all outcomes. LimitationsWe lacked information on history of medication use or health problems prior to follow-up. ConclusionsGendered occupational status was an underlying factor explaining distinctive mental health profiles in the working population. Occupational class-dependent behavioural patterns related to mental health existed among men.

Sickness absence among public workers in the healthcare sector of the Federal District, Brazil.

To describe the profile and indicators of sickness absence for civil servants allocated to the 18 public health units of a Federal District (Brasilia) Health Region, Brazil. Cross-sectional study of all sick leaves longer than 3 days granted in 2014. Sickness absence indicators were calculated and analyzed per sex, marital status, age, educational level, professional category, length in the job, working hours and workplace. The analyzed population (n=2,501) was granted 2,205 sick leaves in total, corresponding to 40,755 missed work days. The prevalence of sickness absence was 39%, the leave frequency index 88%, the severity index 16 days, the average sickness absence length 42 days, and the average length of leaves 18 days. More than 85% of the missed work days corresponded to workers with recurrence of sickness absence. Mental and behavioral disorders and musculoskeletal diseases were the main causes of sick leave. Planning health actions demands accurate knowledge of the characteristics and morbidity profile of this population of workers. The results of the present study express the magnitude of sickness absence in the public health sector, and point to the need for thorough change in the organization of the work process and innovative interventions in the workplace.

Erratum to: Associations of multisite pain with healthcare utilization, sickness absence and restrictions at work.

Despite the apparent importance of multisite musculoskeletal pain (MMP) for functioning, there is still a lack of studies that have investigated the influence of MMP on healthcare utilization (HU), sickness absence (SA) and restrictions of work (RW). This study described the HU, SA and RW due to musculoskeletal pain (MP) in different body sites and according to number of pain sites and investigated associations between number of pain sites with these three outcomes in workers from Bahia, Brazil. This study was based on two cross-sectional surveys carried out in 2010 and 2012. The response in the pooled data was 97 % (n = 1070, 228 women and 842 men). Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used with questions on HU, SA and RW due to MP. The number of pain sites is the sum score of eight body sites with pain in previous 12 months. Covariates were age, gender, physical and psychosocial work demands, leisure-time physical activities and body mass index. Cox regression models, properly applied to a cross-sectional study, determined the associations between number of pain sites with the three outcomes. Prevalence of MP in the previous 12 months is 81.2 %, and MMP accounted for two-thirds of pain. We found consistently increasing occurrence of HU, SA and RW with increasing number of pain sites. For individuals with pain in four or more body sites, the utilization of health care was 1.7-fold the utilization by workers with single-site pain. Having pain in four or more sites increased the prevalence of SA 3.6-fold and of RW 4.0-fold compared with having single-site pain, after adjustment by covariates. The functional consequences of pain depend on how much body regions are affected, i.e., the more widespread pain, the higher the likelihood of medical consumption, sickness absence and restricted work. Given the high comorbidity, the number of pain sites, instead of specific body site of pain, seems to be a useful measure to anticipate interventions at workplaces for musculoskeletal disease prevention.

Longitudinal changes in sickness absence and disability pension, and associations between disability pension and disease-specific and contextual factors and functioning, in people with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundEven though it is well known that disability due to MS is highly associated with employment status, the long-term longitudinal perspective on sickness absence and disability pension over the MS trajectory is lacking. In addition, further knowledge of risk factors for future disability pension is needed. ObjectivesTo explore long-term longitudinal changes in the prevalence of sickness absence and disability pension in people with MS (PwMS), as well as to explore associations between disease-specific factors, contextual factors and functioning, and the outcome of future full-time disability pension. MethodsA prospective, population-based survival cohort study, with a nine year follow-up, including 114 PwMS was conducted by combining face-to-face collected data and register-based data. ResultsThe prevalence of full-time disability pension increased from 20% to 50%, however 24% of the PwMS had no disability pension at all at end of follow-up. Sex, age, disease severity and impaired manual dexterity were associated with future full-time disability pension. ConclusionsThe large increase in prevalence of PwMS on full-time disability pension during the MS trajectory, calls for the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions, aiming at keeping PwMS in the work force. Modifiable factors, such as manual dexterity should be targeted in such interventions.

Associations of multisite pain with healthcare utilization, sickness absence and restrictions at work.

PurposeDespite the apparent importance of multisite musculoskeletal pain (MMP) for functioning, there is still a lack of studies that have investigated the influence of MMP on healthcare utilization (HU), sickness absence (SA) and restrictions of work (RW). This study described the HU, SA and RW due to musculoskeletal pain (MP) in different body sites and according to number of pain sites and investigated associations between number of pain sites with these three outcomes in workers from Bahia, Brazil.MethodsThis study was based on two cross-sectional surveys carried out in 2010 and 2012. The response in the pooled data was 97 % (n = 1070, 228 women and 842 men). Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used with questions on HU, SA and RW due to MP. The number of pain sites is the sum score of eight body sites with pain in previous 12 months. Covariates were age, gender, physical and psychosocial work demands, leisure-time physical activities and body mass index. Cox regression models, properly applied to a cross-sectional study, determined the associations between number of pain sites with the three outcomes.ResultsPrevalence of MP in the previous 12 months is 81.2 %, and MMP accounted for two-thirds of pain. We found consistently increasing occurrence of HU, SA and RW with increasing number of pain sites. For individuals with pain in four or more body sites, the utilization of health care was 1.7-fold the utilization by workers with single-site pain. Having pain in four or more sites increased the prevalence of SA 3.6-fold and of RW 4.0-fold compared with having single-site pain, after adjustment by covariates.ConclusionsThe functional consequences of pain depend on how much body regions are affected, i.e., the more widespread pain, the higher the likelihood of medical consumption, sickness absence and restricted work. Given the high comorbidity, the number of pain sites, instead of specific body site of pain, seems to be a useful measure to anticipate interventions at workplaces for musculoskeletal disease prevention.

The Antecedents of Presenteeism and Sickness Absenteeism: A Research in Turkish Health Sector

Presenteeism is usually defined as being in the workplace while sick. On the other hand, sickness absenteeism is absence of employees due to illness. Sickness absenteeism has aroused broad interest in the literature for many years. However, the antecedents of presenteeism are still limited in terms of cultures. In this respect, the aim of this study is to determine the antecedents of presenteeism and sickness absenteeism in Turkish culture. The research examines the effects of working time match and efficiency demands on presenteeism and sickness absenteeism. The data, which consist of 168 Turkish health care employees’ responds, was analyzed with logistic regression analysis. As a result of this study, matching of desired and actual weekly working hours decreases presenteeism. We also find that efficiency demands decrease presenteeism for those employees. Lastly, the effects of working time match and efficiency demands on the prevalence of sickness absence and presenteeism are significant. Managerial and further research implications are provided.

Sickness Absence at Work and Supporting Being Present At Work, Among Employees Working Different Shifts in the Forest Industry

Objective: Shift work has negative effects on employee overall health, including sleep disorder, depressive symptoms, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The association between shift work and the prevalence of sickness absence has been less studied. This study investigated sickness absence among employees working different work shift schedules in the forest industry. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study used employee (N=636) data from forest industry sick-leave registers. The study population (n=280; women n=90 and men=189) worked five different shifts. Each of the five shifts was analyzed separately for sickness absence rate and the results were compared using independent and paired samples t-test. Results: Persons working a three-shift rotation five days week (TAM35) had a significantly higher sickness absence rate (P=0.001) than those working a two-shift rotation (TAM25). Among those working the three-shift rotation five days a week (TAM35) older male and female employees had more absences than their younger counterparts. Conclusion: The three-shift model showed the highest association with sickness absence. This model does not support human physiological circadian rhythms. Of the five shift schedules studied, the day-shift (five days a week) and two-shift (five morning shifts and five evening shifts) models supported employee health.

Sickness absence and flight type exposure in flight crew members.

Shift work research has shown that the relationship between exposure to irregular working times and sickness absence may differ between working populations. Not much is known about the prevalence of sickness absence in flight crews or about the relationship between exposure to different flight schedules and sickness absence in this population. To examine the association between cumulative exposure to different flight types and sickness absence in flight crew members. The study population consisted of flight crew members from a 5 year historic cohort. Flight schedule and sickness absence data were obtained from company records. The association between the cumulative exposure to different flight types and sickness absence episodes of >7 days was determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Adjusted models were obtained by adding potential confounders. Previous sickness absence was added to compose the fully adjusted models. The records of 8228 employees were analysed. The fully adjusted univariate analyses showed that the numbers of medium-haul flights and flights with time zone crossings were associated with an increase in the odds for sickness absence. The fully adjusted multivariate analyses showed no significant associations between flight types and sickness absence. Cumulative exposure to flight types was not independently associated with sickness absence in flight crew members when previous sickness absence was taken into account. Because sickness absence in the past can predict future absence, preventive strategies targeted at flight crew members with a history of high sickness absence may be effective.

0156 Predictors of sickness absence in pregnancy- a Danish cohort study

ObjectivesTo investigate if parity, fertility treatment, body mass index (BMI), time to pregnancy (TTP), and engagement in physical exercise are risk factors for sickness absence during pregnancy weeks 10 to...