OP1
DETERMINANTS OF HIGH ANNUAL SICKNESS ABSENCE IN OLDER WORKERS: FINDINGS FROM THE HEALTH AND EMPLOYMENT AFTER FIFTY (HEAF) STUDY
D’Angelo1, G. Ntani1, E. Zaballa1, I. Madan2, D. Coggon2
1University of Southampton – MRC LEC, UK
2School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, King’s College London, UK
Background
Demographic, health and job related factors influence sickness absence, but the specific role of workplace conditions in shaping absence among older workers is less well understood.
Aims
To estimate how lifestyle characteristics, health, and employment factors each contribute to high annual sickness absence (HASA) among older workers in England.
Methods
Prospective data from the Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF) cohort, comprising 15,333 12 month follow up intervals from 4,726 adults aged 50-64 at baseline. Multi-level logistic regression examined associations of HASA, defined as a total of more than 20 days sickness absence over a 12-month interval, with risk factors ascertained before the interval. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate potential population impacts.
Results
HASA occurred in 1,003 (6.5%) follow-up intervals. After adjustment, disabling musculoskeletal pain (PAF 25.4%, 95%CI 21.2–29.3) and depression (PAF 11.3%, 95%CI 6.1–16.2) accounted for the largest health related contributions. Among long-term determinants of health, high BMI contributed most (PAF% 18.2, 95%CI 8.9, 26.5). After allowance for health, high physical demands of work (PAF% 22.8) and eligibility for more generous sick pay (PAF% 25.8) made substantial contributions.
Conclusions
Strategies to minimise avoidable sickness absence at older ages should prioritise lowering the burden of mental illness; encouraging continued activity in workers with non-specific musculoskeletal pain with modification of occupational tasks if needed; timely surgery for disabling osteoarthritis; reducing obesity; and increasing opportunities for placement in less physically demanding work. Further investigation is needed to understand how sick pay generosity shapes patterns of absence.
