Presenteeism among workers: health-related factors, work-related factors and health literacy

Abstract

Background: Presenteeism is an important factor in workers' health. However, few studies have examined how variables such as socio-economic status, health status, workplace status and health literacy correlate with and affect presenteeism.

Aims: To assess the correlates of presenteeism with a focus on health-related factors, work-related factors and health literacy.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 2914 Japanese workers from one company. We used a self-administered questionnaire to assess socio-demographic characteristics, health status, work environment, presenteeism and health literacy.

Results: Forty-one per cent of participants were under 40 years of age and 70% were male. We found that 59% of the participants were at high risk of presenteeism. Presenteeism was associated with sex, age, household income, marital status, health-related factors (i.e. self-rated health status, dietary choices, exercise habits), work-related factors (i.e. workplace support, job demands, job control) and health literacy. Logistic regression analyses indicated that presenteeism was associated with self-rated health status, overtime hours, workplace support, job demands, job control and health literacy after adjusting for sex, age and income.

Conclusions: Health-related factors, work-related factors and health literacy are all associated with presenteeism. Improving the workplace environment, especially factors such as overtime working hours, workplace support, job demands and job control, and increasing health literacy may reduce presenteeism among general office workers.

Keywords: Health literacy; Japanese worker; Occupational health; Presenteeism.