Factors related to sickness absenteeism among nursing personnel

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze short-term leaves among the healthcare staff of a university hospital. METHODS: Study population included 965 nursing professionals active on 1 January 2000. Leaves up to 30 days in one year were analyzed. Sickness leaves (one-year aggregate), service demand, and diagnoses were described. Relative risk was estimated through multivariate analysis, using negative binomial distribution. RESULTS: About 65% of workers generated 1,988 appointments, of which 68,6% lead to absence from work. The greatest demand occurred among nursing technicians, women, and statutory workers (OR=1.61; 1.47; 1.53 respectively). Over half the studied population (57.6%) had at least one absence. This corresponds to 87.8% of workers who had physician appointments. These workers generated a total 1,364 leaves of absence - 1.41 per worker - and 5,279 workdays were missed. Multivariate analysis was carried out considering each gender separately. An effect was found only for work regime (RR=1,45 e RR=2,43) for both men and women. CONCLUSIONS: A relationship exists between absenteeism and work regime. It is necessary to include other variables, such as time working for the company, shift, and number of children.