Physical activity, absenteeism and the need for health care by automotive industry employees from São Caetano do Sul / Atividade física, absenteísmo e demanda por atendimento à saúde de funcionários de indústria automobilística de São Caetano do Sul

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2009

RESUMO

Background: By fostering physical activities and healthy life behavior, one can prevent chronic diseases. The health-related costs represent a heavy burden not only to the governmental entities but also to some private companies with many different levels of activities. The main objective of this study was to verify the association between absenteeism due to healthrelated problems, presenteeism, health care seek and the Baecke habitual physical activity score (HPA) and its three components: occupational physical activity (OPA), physical exercise in leisure (PEL) and leisure and locomotion activity (LLA). Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on a selected random sample which was stratified by job categories (hourly, salaried and executives) with the participation of 620 employees from General Motors Brazil, an automotive company located at São Caetano do Sul. The participants had a minimum of 12 months of company service, they worked for the same unit and all were active employees performing their jobs in Brazil at the time the questionnaire was applied. All of them filled out the Baecke questionnaire for the HPA evaluation, including specific questions on social-demographics data, intake of alcohol, tobacco, food, body mass index, referred morbidity, health-related absenteeism, health care seek and presenteeism. To compare averages, the ANOVA has been utilized and, when the statistical significance (p<0,05) was shown, multiples comparisons were made through the Tukeys Method. To compare proportions, the Chi- Square Test was utilized. For the categorical outcomes, it was carried out an analysis through the univariate logistic regression model. All variables which statistical significance level have been 0,10 (p0,10) were selected to be part of the multivariate logistic regression model. After the backward process, the final model has been presented with all variables that showed statistical significance (p<0,05). For the presenteeism (numerical outcome) a comparison has been made with the independent variables through the Pearson Correlation Coefficient. In order to evaluate the associations the odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: The age was 38,5 ± 10,2 years and 89% were men. After adjusting the covariates, the Baecke HPA score was neither associated with the analyzed outcomes or with the referred morbidity. The hourly employees have shown higher HPA, higher OPA and lower PEL scores when compared to remaining employee groups. The OPA score has been associated with absenteeism (OR=1,63, CI95%=1,31-2,02) and has presented a proximity to the statistical significance (p=0,061) with the health care seek (OR=1,25, CI95%=0,99-1,58), both at the univariate analysis but not confirmed in the multivariate model. The OPA score also showed correlation with the presenteesism (r=0,099, p=0,014). Statistically, it was not significant the association between the LLA score with absenteeism (p=0,053), (OR=0,73, CI95%=0,58-1,00) and health care seek (p=0,067), (OR=0,76, CI95%=0,57-1,02). The OPA and PEL scores have been associated with the presence of referred morbidity, being respectively OR=1,3 (CI95%=1,06-1,61) and OR=0,67 (CI95%=0,54-0,82). Conclusion: The HPA score did not show association with the studied outcomes. The hourly employees have shown higher HPA score once they have more occupational physical activity, regardlees the lower score of physical exercises and sports. Among the three scores evaluated, the occupational was closer to the association with the studied outcomes. The analysis statistic power calculation shows to the need of a higher sample to the denial of the raised hypothesis by this study. The Baecke questionnaire utilization, as opposed to the others instruments that evaluate the energy expenditure not taken into consideration the different types of physical activities, questions the possibility that the higher energy expenditure should be considered a health protector factor.

ASSUNTO(S)

custos de saúde para o empregador categorias de trabalhadores health promotion atividade motora epidemiology occupational groups epidemiologia promoção da saúde questionários employer health costs questionnaires absenteeism absenteísmo motor activity

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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