Absenteísmo no contexto profissional dos Agentes de Segurança Penitenciária em relação ao envelhecimento.

To determine the main causes of absenteeism due to health problems in Penitentiary Security Agents (ASPs) and to relate them to aging. Quantitative, observational and cross-sectional study, based on document analysis, carried out in male and female penitentiaries in the interior of São Paulo. Data were analyzed in SPSS software with a significance of 5%. The sample consisted of 79 ASPs; with a mean age of 41.3 years; mean time worked of 11.5 years and prevalence of absenteeism of 18.3%. The main causes of absenteeism were related to emotional conditions, orthopedic problems and gastrointestinal disorders. We did not find a correlation between chronological age and number of leaves. The data obtained are very similar to other national and international studies, however, there is a lack of scientific evidence addressing this class of workers, who need improvements in the daily routine of their professional practice, in order for them to perform their duties with greater dignity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]