Factors associated with presenteeism due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Abstract

Background: Presenteeism associated to work-related musculoskeletal disorders is an important aspect of occupational health that can reveal important information regarding productivity and quality of life at work. Objective: To quantify and evaluate the factors associated to presenteeism due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that used data from the Brazilian National Survey of Health of 2013, involving 847 workers diagnosed with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Results: A multivariate analysis observed an association between presenteeism due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders and income of a minimum wage or less (prevalence ratio 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.60), intense physical activity at work (prevalence ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.37), and chronic diseases (prevalence ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.38). Conclusions: Our observations indicated a high incidence of presenteeism, which was associated to sociodemographic and occupational aspects, as well as to the workers' lifestyle and health conditions.