A cross-sectional study of socioeconomic status and treatment interruption among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Fujimoto, Kenji; Ishimaru, Tomohiro; Tateishi, Seiichiro; Nagata, Tomohisa; Tsuji, Mayumi; Eguchi, Hisashi; Ogami, Akira; Matsuda, Shinya; Fujino, Yoshihisa

doi:10.1002/1348-9585.12232

Cited by 12 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In addition to direct effects of severe pneumonia and acute respiratory failure, COVID-19 has also had indirect health effects. COVID-19-related treatment interruption, particularly in patients with chronic diseases, is an emerging issue in several countries (5,6), including Japan (7). Studies have reported a significant decrease in the number of prescriptions during the pandemic compared to before, and that 40 % of patients requiring regular visits have been seen less frequently (8,9).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These factors presumably have differing degrees of impact depending on the level of infection in the region, such as incidence rate and cumulative COVID-19 cases. In addition, patients with unstable socioeconomic status are more likely to discontinue treatment (7,14,15). Areas with higher prevalence of COVID-19 may be more affected by the loss of job security and other factors that affect individuals with unstable socioeconomic status.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spread of infection and treatment interruption among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Akashi

Hino²,

Tateishi³

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in treatment interruption for chronic diseases. The scale of COVID-19 in Japan has varied greatly in terms of the scale of infection and the speed of spread depending on the region. This study aimed to examine the relationship between local infection level and treatment interruption among Japanese workers.MethodsCross-sectional internet survey was conducted from December 22 to 26, 2020. Of 33,302 participants, 9,510 (5,392 males and 4,118 females) who responded that they required regular treatment were included in the analysis. The infection level in each participant's prefecture of residence was assessed based on the incidence rate (per 1,000 population) and the number of people infected. Age-sex and multivariate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of regional infection levels associated with treatment interruption were estimated by multilevel logistic models, nested by prefecture of residence. The multivariate model was adjusted for sex, age, marital status, equivalent household income, educational level, occupation, self-rated health status and anxiety.ResultsThe ORs of treatment interruption for the lowest and highest levels of infection in the region were 1.32 [95 % confidence interval (CI) were 1.09–1.59] for the overall morbidity rate (per 1,000) and 1.34 (95 % CI 1.10–1.63) for the overall number of people infected. Higher local infection levels were linked to a greater number of workers experiencing treatment interruption.ConclusionsHigher local infection levels were linked to more workers experiencing treatment interruption. Our results suggest that apart from individual characteristics such as socioeconomic and health status, treatment interruption during the pandemic is also subject to contextual effects related to regional infection levels. Preventing community spread of COVID-19 may thus protect individuals from indirect effects of the pandemic, such as treatment interruption.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spread of infection and treatment interruption among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Akashi

Hino²,

Tateishi³

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…[39][40][41][42] In addition, across the world interruptions to medical treatments have been caused by the COVID-19, including in Japan. [14] Interruptions and delays in treatment may exacerbate pre-existing health conditions and increase complications, which may further increase the incidence of sickness presenteeism. In parallel, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to precarious employment conditions in Japan.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has caused interruptions in treatment and increased anxiety due to infection among workers with chronic illnesses. [14][15][16] Lockdown and social distancing have resulted in public health challenges such as loneliness and stress. [17,18] These challenges lead to worker presenteeism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A prospective cohort study of presenteeism and increased risk of unemployment among Japanese workers

Fujino

Okawara

Hino

et al. 2022

Preprint

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ObjectiveWe examined the association between presenteeism and risk of job resignations and unemployment among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA prospective study of 27,036 Internet monitors was conducted, starting in December 2020, with 18,560 (68.7%) participating in the follow-up by December 2021. The Work Functioning Impairment Scale (WFun) was used to measure the degree of work function impairment.ResultsThe group with the highest WFun scores had higher odds ratios (ORs) for both retirement and unemployment for health reasons than the group with the lowest WFun scores. ORs were 2.97 (95%CI: 2.46-3.59, p<0. 001) and 1.80 (95%CI: 1.64-1.98, p<0.001), respectively.ConclusionsWorkers with work functioning impairment were at increased risk of resignation or unemployment. Management strategies for workers with work functioning impairment are needed to reduce their disadvantages in employment.

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“…19 Lockdowns and social distance mandates have additionally brought about challenges such as loneliness and stress. 20 , 21 These events have further increased presenteeism among workers, especially those in precarious socioeconomic situations, who are more likely to experience presenteeism. 22 , 23 , 24 Workers with presenteeism may be at high risk of poverty, as they are more likely to experience a decline in income due to reduced working hours, changes to less demanding tasks, and transitions to more precarious forms of employment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A prospective cohort study of presenteeism and poverty among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Fujino

Okawara

Igarashi

et al. 2022

Journal of Occupational Health

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Objectives This study examined the association of presenteeism with experiences of poverty among Japanese workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods A prospective cohort study of Japanese workers was conducted using an Internet monitoring survey. The baseline survey was conducted in December 2020, and a follow‐up survey in December 2021. Of the 27 036 workers who participated, 18 560 (68.7%) completed the follow‐up survey. The 11 081 who reported that they were not in financial difficulty in the baseline survey were included in the analysis. The degree of work functioning impairment was assessed at baseline using the Work Functioning Impairment Scale (WFun). Households' experience of not being able to pay for food and clothing was identified in the follow‐up survey. The odds ratios (ORs) of presenteeism determined by WFun associated with poverty were estimated using a multilevel logistic model. The multivariate model included age, sex, marital status, job type, income, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, number of employees in the workplace, and the incidence rate of COVID‐19 by prefecture at baseline. Results In the multivariate model, the odds ratio of experiencing food insecurity increased with high WFun score: compared with WFun scores of 13 or less, the OR was 1.87 (95% CI: 1.43–2.43, P < .001) for WFun scores of 14 or more and 3.26 (95% CI: 2.58–4.12, P < .001) for WFun scores of 21 or more. Conclusions In addition to labor productivity, the adverse effects of presenteeism on social security‐related concerns such as poverty require further attention.

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A cross-sectional study of socioeconomic status and treatment interruption among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cited by 12 publications

References 22 publications

Spread of infection and treatment interruption among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Spread of infection and treatment interruption among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

A prospective cohort study of presenteeism and increased risk of unemployment among Japanese workers

A prospective cohort study of presenteeism and poverty among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

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