51. Six Years of Sick Leave Spells in a Group of University Civil Workers. Can Modern Work Bring Them a New Health Problem?
- Author
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Dias A, Bernardes JM, Fantazia MM, Ruiz-Frutos C, and Gómez-Salgado J
- Subjects
- Absenteeism, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Universities, Mental Disorders epidemiology, Occupational Health statistics & numerical data, Sick Leave statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
The objective of this study is to analyse sick leave episodes of a university's collective of statutory workers in the State of São Paulo, between January 2010 and December 2015. For this, a descriptive study analysed 5776 registered spells of sick leave of four university units: agricultural sciences; human health, health and animal reproduction, and biological sciences; an administrative unit; and a university hospital. The medical expert assessment was carried out by general practitioners and psychiatrists who managed sick leave and return to work cases. Around 52% had up to three sick leave episodes, and 10% of the workers had 20 or more episodes. Each spell of sickness absence lasted a median of 30 days (IQR 8⁻60 days). Among all of sick leaves, 35% had as a primary cause mental or behavioural diseases, of which 30% were depressive disorders, followed by around 18% related to the musculoskeletal system and the connective tissues. In the medical reports, 80% of the workers reported pain and 30% reported psychological symptoms. The collective, seen as privileged by many for their job stability, has a high percentage of sick leave due to mental illness, with extended periods which affect the levels of disability and reduce possibilities of return.
- Published
- 2018
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