Does evening work predict sickness absence among female carers of the elderly?

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to predict the risk ratio of sickness absence lasting > or = 2 weeks due to shift work among Danish workers caring for the elderly during the evening and at night. METHODS: A sample of Danish carers of the elderly were interviewed in 2005. The response rate was 78%. A cohort of 5627 shift and day workers was followed for sickness absence lasting > or = 2 weeks and for sickness absence lasting > or = 8 weeks in a sickness compensation register covering all social transfer payments in Denmark. RESULTS: Among the evening workers, the rate ratio (RR) of sickness absence lasting > or = 2 weeks was 1.29 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.10-1.52). The rate ratio for sickness absence lasting > or = 8 weeks was 1.24 (95% CI 0.99-1.56). CONCLUSIONS: Evening work may cause long-term sickness absence lasting > or = 2 weeks.
Original languageEnglish
JournalScandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
Volume34
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)483-6
Number of pages3
ISSN0355-3140
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Absenteeism; Adult; Caregivers; Cohort Studies; Denmark; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Homes for the Aged; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Middle Aged; Poisson Distribution; Prospective Studies; Registries; Sick Leave; Work Schedule Tolerance; Young Adult

ID: 12821176