Health status of long-term sick leave and working female teachers in Germany: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: Limited research on the health situation of teachers on long-term sick leave is available. The aim of this study has been to describe the health status of female teachers on long-term sick leave (LSFT) in comparison to working female teachers (WFT) and to determine predictors for their state of mental health (MH) and cardiovascular fitness (CF). Material and Methods: Twenty-eight LSFT and 300 WFT (average age: 53±5 years old) participated in a screening diagnostic inventory. Mental health, CF, blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), body fat mass (BFM), health behavior (smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity) and disease burden (DB - number of medical diagnoses) were analyzed for the purpose of characterization of the health status. The multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictors for the state of MH and CF. Results: Adverse values for the MH but also for CF, BFM and the DB (median of medical diagnoses: LSFT: 5; WFT: 2) among the LSFT in comparison to the WFT were confirmed. Additionally, the part of smokers among LSFT (25%) was higher (WFT: 8%). In contrast, the WFT (61%) were much more affected by an elevated BP (LSFT: 26%). Disease burden proved as the strongest predictor for MH of the female teachers. Age, BMI and DB proved as predictors for CF. Conclusions: Health-related differences between long-term sick leave and working teachers were particularized and a link between physical and mental health among teachers was quantified. Therefore, health-related concepts for teachers should equally focus on physical and psychological aspects. The relevance of regular well-structured occupational health check-ups should be brought to the attention of the profession to prevent diseases and early retirements.