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PubMed2001

Relationship between frequency of aerobic activity and illness-related absenteeism in a large employee sample.

Frequency of weekly aerobic activity was compared with annual illness-related absenteeism in 79,070 adult US adult workers. Weekly exercise, days per week of aerobic activity (> or = 20 minutes), and absenteeism consisting of days per year and grouped as 1 to 3, 4 to 6, and 7+ days were recorded. After controlling for confounding variables, chi-squared values and odds ratios were calculated. A significant (chi 2 = 280.37) relationship was found between absenteeism and exercise. Differences (P < 0.05) in absenteeism were found between no exercise and all frequencies of weekly exercise. One day of exercise was associated with lower absenteeism when compared with no exercise, and 2 days of exercise was more favorable than one. No differences were found between any other combinations (2 to 3, 2 to 4+, 3 to 4+ days) of exercise frequency and absenteeism. These data suggest a significant relationship between exercise frequency and illness-related absenteeism.

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PubMed2004

Factors related to school absenteeism in adolescents with recurrent headache.

OBJECTIVE: To examine possible risk and protective factors for school absenteeism among adolescents referred to a hospital-based behavioral treatment program. DESIGN: Data obtained from intake interviews, screening questionnaires, and baseline headache diaries of 283 consecutive adolescents referred for behavioral treatment of recurrent headache were reviewed for demographics, length of headache history, headache type, current headache activity, symptoms of anxiety and depression, perceived self-efficacy regarding headache control, school performance, participation in extracurricular activities, and school absenteeism. The study population was divided into 2 groups at the median number of days missed due to headache in the previous 6 months that school was in session. Adolescents who missed 2 or less days of school due to headache (low absenteeism) were compared with those who missed more than 2 days (high absenteeism). RESULTS: Compared with the low absenteeism group, the high absenteeism group had higher scores on the Children's Depression Inventory (8.7 +/- 6.5 versus 6.8 +/- 6.2, P <.05) and lower academic performance (2.1 +/- 1.0 versus 1.7 +/- 0.8, P <.0001). The 2 groups were not statistically different in age, sex, length of headache history, type of headache, current headache frequency or intensity scores, anxiety scores, self-efficacy ratings, or participation in extracurricular activities. CONCLUSIONS: In a referred population, students who missed more school due to headache had higher depression scores and lower academic performance than students who missed less school. A directional relationship, however, cannot be implied from these results. Future studies should investigate the complex relationship between recurrent adolescent headache, potential risk or protective factors, and school absenteeism.

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PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship between perceived stress and self-reported illness-related absenteeism.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between perceived stress and illness-related work absenteeism. DESIGN: A standardized health profile questionnaire developed by Johnson & Johnson Advanced Behavioral Technologies, Inc., was used to collect demographic and personal health data between June 1988 and January 1993. Chi-square, odds ratio, and stepwise regression tests were used to analyze perceived stress and self-reported absenteeism data. SETTING: Worksite health promotion programs in 250 U.S. companies. SUBJECTS: Subjects consisted of 79,070 employees. MEASURES: Stress data, grouped as low, moderate, and high, were correlated with absenteeism data grouped by annual days missed (None, 1 to 2, 3 to 4, and 5+). RESULTS: Significant relationships were found (p < or = .05) between high stress and absenteeism for both genders. Female workers reported higher stress levels and absenteeism than men. Those with high stress were 2.22 more likely to be absent 5+ days per year than those with low stress. Work, finances, and family were the highest stress sources. Greatest absenteeism predictors were health, legal, social, and financial stress. CONCLUSIONS: These data primarily represented self-selected white workers and may not apply to all employees. However, if high stress relates to absenteeism, these data may provide valuable information for program design in stress management.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Obesity and absenteeism: an epidemiologic study of 10,825 employed adults.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the extent of the relationship between obesity and absenteeism due to illness. A secondary objective was to ascertain the extent to which age, gender, family income, length of workweek, and cigarette smoking influenced the obesity-absenteeism association. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was used. Data regarding obesity, absenteeism, and the potential confounding factors were collected during the same time period. SETTING: Data were collected within workplaces throughout the U.S., and at the headquarters of Health Advancement Services, Inc. (HAS). SUBJECTS: Subjects were 10,825 employed men and women who participated in an ongoing wellness screening program administered by HAS. MEASURES: The three-site skinfold technique was used to estimate body fat percentage. Absenteeism due to illness and the potential confounding variables were assessed using a structured paper-pencil questionnaire. RESULTS: Without controlling for any potential confounders, obese employees were more than twice as likely to experience high-level absenteeism (seven or more absences due to illness during the past 6 months), and 1.49 times more likely to suffer from moderate absenteeism (three to six absences due to illness during the last 6 months) than were lean employees. With all of the potential confounders controlled simultaneously, obese employees were 1.74 and 1.61 times more likely to experience high and moderate levels of absenteeism, respectively, than were lean individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Obese employees tend to be absent from work due to illness substantially more than their counterparts.

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PubMed1987

A study on absenteeism among hospital personnel.

This is a retrospective study on absenteeism in a large teaching hospital covering the calender years 1982 and 1983. The number of personnel under study is 2.700 divided in six professional categories: administrative employees, qualified nurses, non-qualified nurses, laboratory technicians, caterers, cleaners. A 30% sample was chosen by the method of stratified sampling. Data were collected for each person on personal and professional factors. Absence data were collected for each person and were analysed by computer techniques. Females form the majority of the sample (82%). The overall absence rate was 9%; on excluding maternity leave it was around 6%. Female workers have double the pregnancy rate of employees and double their absence rate (maternity leave excluded). Both younger age groups have a high frequency of absence. A consistantly higher absenteeism was observed in females than in males even after the exclusion of pregnancy. Nationality had only a slight influence. The effects of seasonal variations was observed: increase in the winter and decrease in the summer. The factor education showed a direct relationship with absenteeism, the higher the education, the lower the absenteeism and vice versa. In order to detect which factors significantly influence absenteeism, each isolated factor was first considered. 'Marital status' appeared to be the most significant. On the multifactorial analysis, only education was found to be highly significant. Profession appeared also significant but is correlated to education. From these data, the probability of absenteeism can be determined. Propositions are made for an effective registration of absences and some approaches to reduce absenteeism are discussed.

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PubMed1993

[Efficacy of influenza vaccination and its relationship to daily absentee rate].

To determine the efficacy of influenza vaccination and it's relationship to "daily physical condition", an investigation was carried out in two elementary schools and one junior high school. Since children who had many absences during the first and second trimesters, tend to have many absentee days in the third trimester and during the last year, also, absentee rate during the first and second trimesters was considered to be an indicator of "daily physical condition". Vaccinated children tended to have lower absentee rates than nonvaccinated children during the first and second trimesters. This indicates that there is a definite difference between vaccinated and nonvaccinated children in terms of "daily physical condition". Children who had many absences during the first and second trimesters, also tended to have many absentee days during the influenza season, introducing a confounding factor, "daily physical condition", when comparisons are made in the absentee rate between vaccinated and nonvaccinated children during the influenza season. Careful analysis of these data, taking into account their "daily physical condition", showed that vaccinated children tended to have lower absentee rates than the nonvaccinated during the influenza season. However there was no definite difference between vaccinated and nonvaccinated children in length of absentee days during the influenza season.

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PubMed2002

Absenteeism among nursing students - fact or fiction?

This study explores absenteeism patterns and trends among a group of third-year student nurses. A questionnaire was used to elicit information about absence behaviour from 110 students at two hospital sites. Retrospective analysis of attendance records of 70 of these students, covering a period of 123 weeks, was also performed to determine absenteeism trends. The findings of the study reveal that 1567 days were lost because of absenteeism during this period on 1027 episodes. This represents a time lost index, which is the amount of days lost expressed as a percentage of total days available, of 4% among the group. Most absenteeism episodes lasted 3 days or less, with 73% of episodes lasting only 1 day. Absenteeism commencing either on Mondays or Fridays accounted for more than half of the absenteeism episodes in the group. Voluntary absence was a reported feature of this group, which occurred more frequently from lectures than wards. The main reasons cited for absence from both lectures and ward duties were personal and social commitments and stress. Students' views on nursing as a career and responses to factors that may cause stress were examined and revealed an association with reported absence behaviour.

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PubMed1978

Increased absenteeism from work after detection and labeling of hypertensive patients.

A study of hypertension in an industrial setting allowed us to confirm and explore an earlier retrospective finding that the labeling of patients as hypertensive resulted in increased absenteeism from work. After screening and referral, we found that absenteeism rose (mean +/- 1 S.E.) 5.2 +/- 2.3 days per year (P less than 0.025); this 80 per cent increase greatly exceeded the 9 per cent rise in absenteeism in the general employee population during this period. The main factors associated with increased absenteeism were becoming aware of the condition (P less than 0.01) and low compliance with treatment (P less than 0.001). Subsequent absenteeism among patients unaware of their hypertension before screening was not related to the degree of hypertension, whether the worker was started on therapy, the degree of blood-pressure control achieved or exposure to attempts to promote compliance. These results have major implications for hypertension screening programs, especially since absenteeism rose among those previously unaware of their condition, regardless of whether antihypertensive therapy was begun.

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PubMed2000

Effect of hand sanitizer use on elementary school absenteeism.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have indicated a connection between handwashing and illness-related absenteeism in school settings. The difficulty of ensuring consistent and effective handwashing among student populations has also been noted. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the use of an alcohol gel hand sanitizer in the classroom to help decrease the illness-related absentee rate for elementary school students. METHODS: This study involved 5 individual school districts, 16 individual schools, and more than 6000 students in Delaware, Ohio, Tennessee, and California. Individual schools in each district were paired into product and control groups. In the product group schools, an alcohol gel hand sanitizer was used by the students and staff when entering and leaving the classroom. Absenteeism due to infection was recorded, and the data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The overall reduction in absenteeism due to infection in the schools included in this study was 19.8% for schools that used an alcohol gel hand sanitizer compared with the control schools (P <.05). Data from the school system with the largest teacher population (n = 246) showed that teacher absenteeism decreased 10.1% (trend) in the schools where sanitizer was used. CONCLUSION: Elementary school absenteeism due to infection is significantly reduced when an alcohol gel hand sanitizer is used in the classroom as part of a hand hygiene program.

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PubMed1992

Relationship between occupational health care and absenteeism.

A connection is generally assumed between occupational health care (in Dutch 'bedrijfsgezondheidszorg', or BGZ) and a reduction in absenteeism. In the Dutch literature various authors and researchers make great claims for the effect of occupational health care in reducing absenteeism. As yet, however, they have not concerned themselves very much with providing proof for the validity of their position. They speculate as to the positive influence of occupational health care on the health and welfare of employees and assume a direct connection between it and the reduction of absenteeism, but they do not have at their disposal empirical research results to support their speculations. So far as we know solid research of an experimental or quasi-experimental design into the relationship between occupational health care and absenteeism has never been carried out. Recently, however, an experiment with occupational health care for teaching personnel (in Dutch: Experiment met BGZ voor Onderwijspersoneel, or EBO) did take place, providing the opportunity to determine the influence of occupational health care on absenteeism in a quasi-experimental setting. Unfortunately, the results of the experiment indicate that the relationship between occupational health care and absenteeism is more complex than is generally assumed. In the course of the experiment, and in particular during the final year, the level of absence in the experimental group rose considerably, while in the control group it fell slightly. That rise was mainly due to the increase in the number of persons who were sick for a long period of time (at least 6 months).

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PubMed2006

Physical fitness, absenteeism and workers' compensation in smoking and non-smoking police officers.

BACKGROUND: Employers seek to minimize business costs by creating conditions of employment. Relying on the presumably negative effects of smoking on variables such as workers' compensation claims, absenteeism and physical fitness scores, they seek a rational basis for requirements that employees refrain from smoking. No research has been found on police officer smoking rates relating to physical fitness, and the resulting economic variables of workers' compensation claims and absenteeism rates. AIMS: To compare police officer non-smoker and smoker physical fitness, absenteeism rates and workers' compensation claims. METHODS: The sample included 514 officers of a metropolitan police department. A physical fitness test was administered. Smoking status, yearly absenteeism rates and workers' compensation claims were collected. RESULTS: Male smokers were significantly older than non-smokers. An analysis of covariance controlling for sex and age indicated that smokers had significantly (P < or = 0.05) lower fitness scores in sit and reach flexibility, sit-ups endurance, bench press strength and bicycle ergometer cardiovascular endurance. When neither age nor sex was controlled in males, a similar trend continued. However, in females only the sit and reach and sit-up tests demonstrated statistically significant differences. Fat percentage, step-test scores, absenteeism rates and workers' compensation claims were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: These data do not provide a rational basis for the requirement that officers refrain from smoking when considering body fat and the economic savings of lower absenteeism rates and workers' compensation. To some extent, smoking policies can be justified by officers' physical fitness but there are age, gender and test protocol considerations.

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PubMed1992

Absenteeism as a symptom of occupational ill-health in hospitals and its repercussion on quality assurance.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the importance of absenteeism due to illness in the hospital organization. A measurement of absenteeism due to illness among hospital professionals of the National Health System in the Alicante province (Spain) during the years 1988, 1989 and 1990 was carried out, as well as its repercussion on quality assurance in health care. The absenteeism index (frequency) was 5.39, 6.38 and 6.79 in 1988, 1989 and 1990, respectively. The extent of absenteeism (duration) in 1988 was 19.7 days per worker, and was 24.23 in 1989 and 26.45 in 1990. Hospitals with more than 400 beds presented during these periods poor absenteeism self-control. Maintenance personnel, nurses, administrative personnel and graduates had, in this order, the highest scores of days lost. We show that the dimension of Intrinsic Job Satisfaction, Extrinsic Job Satisfaction and Job Monotony are interrelated with absenteeism.

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PubMed2001

The impact of behavioral health risks on worker absenteeism.

The relationship between behavioral health risks and worker absenteeism was investigated. Data on absenteeism and on 10 behavioral health risk areas were collected from 35,451 employees. Analyses examined whether higher health risks are associated with higher absenteeism, and whether a reduction in health risks translates into a reduction in absenteeism. Results revealed that a significant relationship existed between health risks and absenteeism in 8 of the 10 risk areas examined. Individuals who are at risk are more likely to be absent than individuals at low risk. Additional analyses revealed that individuals who reduce their risks in the areas of mental health, stress, and back are absent less often than individuals who remain at risk. These findings suggest that absenteeism, and the costs associated with it, may be controlled by health promotion programs and the reduction of health risks.

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PubMed1993

Pre-school children's absenteeism from Swedish municipal day-care centres in 1977 and 1990: methodology and socio-demographic factors.

The absenteeism of Swedish pre-school children from municipal day-care centre departments (DCCDs) was studied for the years 1977 and 1990. The research questions were: (1) has absenteeism due to illness changed from 1977 to 1990?; and (2) is absenteeism caused by illness which is influenced by socio-demographic factors? Absenteeism was recorded during February, March and April for 92% of 0-6 year olds enrolled in 476 DCCDs in 1977, and for 88% of the children in 561 DCCDs in 1990. It was measured as the number of days the children were not in attendance due to any illness, divided by the total number of days they could have attended their DCCD. Absenteeism was higher in 1977 than in 1990 for all ages. In 1977 and 1990, among 0-1 year olds it was 20.5% and 14.3%, respectively. The proportion of 0-2 year olds who had been absent for 25% or more of possible days of attendance was 24.5% in 1977 and 14.0% in 1990. Children 0-2 years of age with self-employed mothers were absent less from their DCCD than those whose mothers were manual workers or non-manual employees. Among 0-2 year olds living in the largest cities, absenteeism was higher for those living in apartments compared with the children living in single-family houses.

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PubMed2005

Workplace smoking related absenteeism and productivity costs in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate productivity losses and financial costs to employers caused by cigarette smoking in the Taiwan workplace. METHODS: The human capital approach was used to calculate lost productivity. Assuming the value of lost productivity was equal to the wage/salary rate and basing the calculations on smoking rate in the workforce, average days of absenteeism, average wage/salary rate, and increased risk and absenteeism among smokers obtained from earlier research, costs due to smoker absenteeism were estimated. Financial losses caused by passive smoking, smoking breaks, and occupational injuries were calculated. RESULTS: Using a conservative estimate of excess absenteeism from work, male smokers took off an average of 4.36 sick days and male non-smokers took off an average of 3.30 sick days. Female smokers took off an average of 4.96 sick days and non-smoking females took off an average of 3.75 sick days. Excess absenteeism caused by employee smoking was estimated to cost USD 178 million per annum for males and USD 6 million for females at a total cost of USD 184 million per annum. The time men and women spent taking smoking breaks amounted to nine days per year and six days per year, respectively, resulting in reduced output productivity losses of USD 733 million. Increased sick leave costs due to passive smoking were approximately USD 81 million. Potential costs incurred from occupational injuries among smoking employees were estimated to be USD 34 million. CONCLUSIONS: Financial costs caused by increased absenteeism and reduced productivity from employees who smoke are significant in Taiwan. Based on conservative estimates, total costs attributed to smoking in the workforce were approximately USD 1032 million.

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PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship of physical activity and cardiovascular fitness to absenteeism and medical care claims among law enforcement officers.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown an inverse relationship between cardiovascular fitness and both absenteeism and health care costs. The documentation of these relationships with law enforcement officers will support the usefulness of providing health promotion programs for this population. METHODS: Data were collected over a one-year period to examine the relationship of physical activity and cardiovascular fitness to absenteeism and medical care claims among law enforcement officers (N = 734). RESULTS: Analysis of covariance indicated that sedentary officers were absent significantly more often than active officers; also, female officers were absent significantly more than male officers. Although proportionally more female officers than males scored above the 50th percentile on fitness (based on Cooper's norms), increased fitness for females was not related to decreased absenteeism. Increased fitness for male officers was related to decreased absenteeism. Medical care claims for a sub-sample of male officers (N = 363) were lower for more fit and more active officers, although this relationship was nonsignificant. DISCUSSION: These observational data strengthen the hypothesis that absenteeism levels of physically active officers are lower than those of sedentary officers. For females, the relationship of absenteeism to family issues associated with child care and pregnancy leave in the workplace appears worthy of examination.

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PubMed2002

Decision latitude and workload demand: implications for full and partial absenteeism.

This research examined the relative importance of two components of job stress--decision latitude and workload demand--on employee absenteeism. The analysis was based on confidential self-reported data from employees at two worksites, which were collected in three independent cross-sections beginning in 1995. The negative binomial technique was used to estimate the effects of decision latitude and workload demand on employee attendance, while controlling for employee demographics and other workplace characteristics. Estimation results show that high decision latitude was negatively and significantly related to number of full days absent from work (full absenteeism) and number of days arriving late to work or leaving work early (partial absenteeism). Conversely, the coefficient estimates for low decision latitude were positive in every model and significantly related to partial absenteeism. Low workload demand was negatively and significantly related to partial absenteeism, but not full days absent. The interaction effects of decision latitude and workload demand on absenteeism were not statistically significant. Several recent studies have estimated a significant relationship between decision latitude, workload demand, and medical problems such as cardiovascular disease. The current findings suggest that decision latitude and workload demand are also related to workplace attendance. Employers and occupational hygienists should consider decision latitude and workload demand as a means to improve workplace productivity and employee health.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Absenteeism and under-achievement in final year medical students.

BACKGROUND: Absenteeism among medical students has received little attention in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of absenteeism from didactic lectures in ophthalmology and its correlation with performance in formative assessment. METHODS: The attendance of 101 final year medical students for lectures in ophthalmology was studied in three parts: terms 1, 2 and 3. Based on the attendance in all three terms, students were divided into groups I to V, where group I students had good attendance in all three terms down to group V, with very poor attendance in one or more terms. The marks scored in the first, second and third terminal theory tests were tabulated separately. Results of the second and final professional examinations were assessed for the five groups of students. Students were asked to list the causes of absenteeism in a proforma. Data were analysed by regression analysis and Chi-square test. Significance was obtained at 5% level. RESULTS: In each formative assessment, higher attendance was associated with better marks (p < 0.0001). Illness, family commitment, teacher/topic, or lecture period spent in an extended clinical posting were cited as causes of absenteeism in 62.6% of instances. Six of the 10 students who failed the ophthalmology professional examination were in groups IV and V and had failed the second professional examination as well. They were designated low achievers, as were 3 students who made several attempts to pass the second professional examination and failed in ophthalmology despite a fair-good attendance. CONCLUSION: Learner absenteeism may contribute to low achievement. However, absenteeism may be symptomatic of low achievers. Low achievers or students with learning handicaps must be identified before admission or early in the medical course and encouraged to improve their performance and thereby enhance their self-esteem. A support group of family, peers, faculty and psychologists could help.

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