Características de saúde e trabalho associadas ao absenteismo por doença em uma coorte de trabalhadores siderúrgicos

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of absenteeism relative to illness totaling seven or more days, over 12 months period and investigate its predictors in a cohort of workers employed in a large steelmaking company in Brazil. METHODS: The cohort consisted of all workers who participated in a health survey conducted by the steelmaking company in 2006. Information was obtained by structured questionnaire including socio-demographic, socio-economic, job characteristics, behavioral factors, reported morbidity and health services utilization. Survey data were matched to medical certificates records, health insurance service data (INSS) and Human Resources Department information obtained from the Company. The numbers of days absent from work due to health during a 12 months period were summed up taking the date of the health survey interview as the reference day. Absences of seven days or more was classified as absenteeism present. Factors associated with absenteeism were investigated by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 44% of individuals had no record of work absence due to medical illness during follow up. The cumulative incidence of absenteeism > seven days was 18.4%. The risks of absenteeism were higher among: smokers (OR=1.49, CI95%:1.15-1.93), ex-smokers (OR=1.36; CI95%:1.07-1.74); divorced, separated or widowers (OR=2.06, CI95%:1.29-3.27); sedentary (OR=1.71, CI95%:1.22-2.40); who reported more medical visits in the previous year (OR=1.24, CI95%:1.17-1.32); who missed work due to illness in the two weeks preceding the survey (OR=1.61, I95%:1.12-2.30); with positive CAGE (OR=1.58, CI95%:1.14-2.18); employed for <15 years (OR= 1.88, CI95%:1.45-2.45); and hourly wage contract (OR=1.68, CI95%:1.10-2.56). Workers with greater control of the working process had smaller risk of absenteeism during the follow-up (OR=0.94, CI95%:0.91-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: The one-year incidence of illness related absenteeism is high and positively associated with smoking and low control over the work. These factors are potentially modifiable, but require distinct interventions and actors.