Self-reported health problems and obesity predict sickness absence during a 12-month follow-up: a prospective cohort study in 21 608 employees from different industries

Abstract

ObjectivesTo study whether self-reported health problems predict sickness absence (SA) from work in employees from different industries.MethodsThe results of a health risk appraisal (HRA) were combined with archival data of SA of 21 608 employees (59% female, 56% clerical). Exposure variables were self-reported health problems, labelled as ‘work disability (WD) risk factors’ in the HRA, presence of problems with occupational well-being and obesity. Age, socioeconomic grading and the number of SA days 12 months before the survey were treated as confounders. The outcome measure was accumulated SA days during 12-month follow-up. Data were analysed separately for males and females. A Hurdle model with negative binomial response was used to analyse zero-inflated count data of SA.ResultsThe HRA results predicted the number of accumulated SA days during the 12-month follow-up, regardless of occupational group and gender. The ratio of means of SA days varied between 2.7 and 4.0 among those with ‘WD risk factors’ and the reference category with no findings, depending on gender and occupational group. The lower limit of the 95% CI was at the lowest 2.0. In the Hurdle model, ‘WD risk factors’, SA days prior to the HRA and obesity were additive predictors for SA and/or the accumulated SA days in all occupational groups.ConclusionSelf-reported health problems and obesity predict a higher total count of SA days in an additive fashion. These findings have implications for both management and the healthcare system in the prevention of WD.

Association between employment status and sickness presenteeism among Korean employees: a cross-sectional study

“…Similar to SA [ 1 2 3 4 ], SP was associated with the poor health status of employees because it indicates the possibility of worker ill-health [ 11 41 ]. Moreover, SP could contribute to the spread of communicable diseases, such as common cold or influenza, in the workplace, and eventually to the general population [ 42 ].…”

“…SA has been extensively studied because it can increase social costs due to employee health problems and their reduced productivity [ 1 2 3 4 ]. In contrast, the importance and seriousness of SP has only recently been explored, particularly in Korea [ 5 ].…”

Obesity and sickness absenteeism among health workers in a private hospital in South Africa

“…18 Sickness absenteeism is defined as the time absent from work because of illness. 19 Fitzgerald et al 14 confirmed that obesity is recognised as a significant predictor of sick leave and it has been shown that obese workers experienced higher rates of sickness absenteeism, 20,21 and presenteeism. 5 Even though obesity has been associated with significantly greater absenteeism among United States (US) workers, after controlling for demographic characteristics, 5 the causes of workplace absenteeism are multifaceted and not limited to obesity and health status outcomes.…”

Burden and Determinants of Self-Reported High Blood Pressure Among Women of Reproductive Age In Tanzania: Evidence from 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey

“…Therefore, due to its simplicity and low cost in obtaining health information from individuals, self-reporting has become an integral approach for continuous population monitoring, informing policies aimed at reducing the burden of various diseases [18,19].…”

“…Self-reporting of specific medical conditions is a simple and cost-effective method that relies on individuals willingly disclosing their behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, or intentions regarding a particular condition. Therefore, due to its simplicity and low cost in obtaining health information from individuals, self-reporting has become an integral approach for continuous population monitoring, informing policies aimed at reducing the burden of various diseases [18, 19].…”