The influence of lifestyle and gender on sickness absence in Brazilian workers

BMC Public Health

Alex Burdorf¹  Ana Maria Malik²  Olinda do Carmo Luiz²  Paulo Rossi Menezes²  Renata Bertazzi Levy²  Fabiana Maluf Rabacow² 

[1] Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000, CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;Department of Preventive Medicine, University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, FMUSP, Avenida Dr Arnaldo, 455–2° andar, 01246-903 São Paulo, SP, Brazil

关键词: Health behavior;    Gender;    Sick leave;   

Others  :  1131657
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-14-317

 received in 2013-11-25, accepted in 2014-04-02,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Despite an increasing body of knowledge concerning gender and lifestyle factors as determinants of sickness absence in well-developed countries, the relationship between these variables has not been elucidated in emerging economic power countries, where the burden of non-communicable diseases is particularly high. This study aimed to analyze the relationships among lifestyle-related factors and sick leave and to examine whether gender differences in sickness absence can be explained by differences in socio-demographic, work and lifestyle-related factors among Brazilian workers.

Methods

In this longitudinal study with a one year follow-up among 2.150 employees of a Brazilian airline company, sick leave was the primary outcome of interest. Independent variables collected by interview at enrolment in the study were gender, age, educational level, type of work, stress, and lifestyle-related factors (body mass index, physical activity and smoking). In addition, the risk for coronary heart disease was determined based on measurement of blood pressure, total cholesterol and glucose levels. The total number of days on sick leave during 12 months follow-up was available from the company register. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influence of socio-demographic, type of work and lifestyle-related factors on sick leave.

Results

Younger employees, those with lower educational level, those who worked as air crew members and those with higher levels of stress were more likely to have sick leave. Body mass index and level of physical activity were not associated with sick leave. After adjustment by socio-demographic variables, increased odds for 10 or more days of sick leave were found in smokers (OR = 1.51, CI = 1.05-2.17), and ex-smokers (OR = 1.45, CI = 1.01-2.10). Women were more likely to have 10 or more days of sick leave. Gender differences were reduced mainly when adjusted for type of work (15%) and educational level (7%).

Conclusions

The higher occurrence of sick leave among women than among men was partly explained by type of work and educational level. Our results suggest that type of work, a stressful life, and smoking are important targets for health promotion in this study population.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Rabacow et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

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