Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 4/2013

01-05-2013 | Original Article

The association between health and sickness absence among Danish and non-Western immigrant cleaners in Denmark

Authors: Isabella G. Carneiro, Charlotte D. N. Rasmussen, Marie B. Jørgensen, Mari-Ann Flyvholm, Kasper Olesen, Pascal Madeleine, Dorte Ekner, Karen Søgaard, Andreas Holtermann

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 4/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study is to investigate the association between health and sickness absence among Danish and non-Western immigrant cleaners in Denmark.

Methods

This study is based on a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 2007 to 2008. The study population includes 276 cleaners, 144 Danish and 132 non-Western immigrant cleaners. Cumulative sickness absences during a 6-month period from administrative records were subdivided into no sickness absence (0 days), low occurrence of sickness absence (1–10 days) and high occurrence of sickness absence (over 10 days). Measures of health consisted of self-report and objective assessments. The relationship between sickness absence and health was analyzed through multinomial logistic regression, stratified by immigrant status.

Results

For both Danish and non-Western immigrant cleaners, poor self-reported health was significantly related to high occurrence of sickness absence. Among Danish cleaners, high blood pressure was related to high occurrence of sickness absence. Among non-Western immigrant cleaners, total body pain and having one or more diagnosed chronic disease were related to high occurrence of sickness absence. No association between health and low occurrence of sickness absence was found.

Conclusions

The findings confirm the importance of health for high occurrence of sickness absence, in both ethnic groups. Moreover, low occurrence of sickness absence was not related to the health conditions investigated.
Literature
go back to reference Agudelo-Suarez AA, Benavides FG, Felt E, Ronda-Perez E, Vives-Cases C, Garcia AM (2010) Sickness presenteeism in Spanish-born and immigrant workers in Spain. BMC Public Health 10:791CrossRef Agudelo-Suarez AA, Benavides FG, Felt E, Ronda-Perez E, Vives-Cases C, Garcia AM (2010) Sickness presenteeism in Spanish-born and immigrant workers in Spain. BMC Public Health 10:791CrossRef
go back to reference Alexanderson K, Norlund A (2004) Sickness absence: causes, consequences, and physicians’ sickness certification practice. A systematic literature review by the Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU). Scand J Public Health Suppl 63:3–263CrossRef Alexanderson K, Norlund A (2004) Sickness absence: causes, consequences, and physicians’ sickness certification practice. A systematic literature review by the Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU). Scand J Public Health Suppl 63:3–263CrossRef
go back to reference Allebeck P, Mastekaasa A (2004) Chapter 5. Risk factors for sick leave—general studies. Scand J Public Health 32:49–108CrossRef Allebeck P, Mastekaasa A (2004) Chapter 5. Risk factors for sick leave—general studies. Scand J Public Health 32:49–108CrossRef
go back to reference Anagnostopoulos F, Niakas D (2010) Job Burnout, health-related quality of life, and sickness absence in Greek health professionals. Eur Psychol 15:132–141CrossRef Anagnostopoulos F, Niakas D (2010) Job Burnout, health-related quality of life, and sickness absence in Greek health professionals. Eur Psychol 15:132–141CrossRef
go back to reference Andrea H, Beurskens AJHM, Metsemakers JFM, van Amelsvoort LGPM, van den Brandt PA, van Schayck CP (2003) Health problems and psychosocial work environment as predictors of long term sickness absence in employees who visited the occupational physician and/or general practitioner in relation to work: a prospective study. Occup Environ Med 60:295–300CrossRef Andrea H, Beurskens AJHM, Metsemakers JFM, van Amelsvoort LGPM, van den Brandt PA, van Schayck CP (2003) Health problems and psychosocial work environment as predictors of long term sickness absence in employees who visited the occupational physician and/or general practitioner in relation to work: a prospective study. Occup Environ Med 60:295–300CrossRef
go back to reference Andrea H, Bültmann U, Beurskens AJHM, Swaen GMH, van Schayck CP, Kant IJ (2004) Anxiety and depression in the working population using the HAD Scale: psychometrics, prevalence and relationships with psychosocial work characteristics. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39:637–646CrossRef Andrea H, Bültmann U, Beurskens AJHM, Swaen GMH, van Schayck CP, Kant IJ (2004) Anxiety and depression in the working population using the HAD Scale: psychometrics, prevalence and relationships with psychosocial work characteristics. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39:637–646CrossRef
go back to reference Binderup AT, Holtermann A, Sogaard K, Madeleine P (2011) Pressure pain sensitivity maps, self-reported musculoskeletal disorders and sickness absence among cleaners. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 84:647–654CrossRef Binderup AT, Holtermann A, Sogaard K, Madeleine P (2011) Pressure pain sensitivity maps, self-reported musculoskeletal disorders and sickness absence among cleaners. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 84:647–654CrossRef
go back to reference Carneiro IG, Ortega A, Borg V, Høgh A (2010) Health and sickness absence in Denmark: a study of elderly-care immigrant workers. J Immigr Minor Health 12:43–52CrossRef Carneiro IG, Ortega A, Borg V, Høgh A (2010) Health and sickness absence in Denmark: a study of elderly-care immigrant workers. J Immigr Minor Health 12:43–52CrossRef
go back to reference DeSalvo KB, Jones TM, Peabody J, McDonald J, Fihn S, Fan V, He J, Muntner P (2011) Health care expenditure prediction with a single item, self-rated health measure. Med Care 47:440–447CrossRef DeSalvo KB, Jones TM, Peabody J, McDonald J, Fihn S, Fan V, He J, Muntner P (2011) Health care expenditure prediction with a single item, self-rated health measure. Med Care 47:440–447CrossRef
go back to reference Ektor-Andersen J (2002) CHRONIC MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN. Population studies of pain-experience with special focus on the total body pain and aspects of adaptation in a cognitive-behavior psychological frame of reference. Lund University Ektor-Andersen J (2002) CHRONIC MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN. Population studies of pain-experience with special focus on the total body pain and aspects of adaptation in a cognitive-behavior psychological frame of reference. Lund University
go back to reference Gadd M, Johansson SE, Sundquist J, Wändell P (2006) Are there differences in all-cause and coronary heart disease mortality between immigrants in Sweden and in their country of birth? A follow-up study of total populations. BMC Public Health 6:102CrossRef Gadd M, Johansson SE, Sundquist J, Wändell P (2006) Are there differences in all-cause and coronary heart disease mortality between immigrants in Sweden and in their country of birth? A follow-up study of total populations. BMC Public Health 6:102CrossRef
go back to reference Gamperiene M, Nygard JF, Sandanger I, Wμrsted M, Bruusgaard D (2006) The impact of psychosocial and organizational working conditions on the mental health of female cleaning personnel in Norway. J Occup Med Toxicol 1:24CrossRef Gamperiene M, Nygard JF, Sandanger I, Wμrsted M, Bruusgaard D (2006) The impact of psychosocial and organizational working conditions on the mental health of female cleaning personnel in Norway. J Occup Med Toxicol 1:24CrossRef
go back to reference Hansen C, Andersen J (2009) Sick at work-a risk factor for long-term sickness absence at a later date? J Epidemiol Community Health 63:397–402CrossRef Hansen C, Andersen J (2009) Sick at work-a risk factor for long-term sickness absence at a later date? J Epidemiol Community Health 63:397–402CrossRef
go back to reference Harvey SB, Glozier N, Carlton O, Mykletun A, Henderson M, Hotopf M, Holland-Elliott K (2010) Obesity and sickness absence: results from the CHAP study. Occup Med Oxford 60:362–368CrossRef Harvey SB, Glozier N, Carlton O, Mykletun A, Henderson M, Hotopf M, Holland-Elliott K (2010) Obesity and sickness absence: results from the CHAP study. Occup Med Oxford 60:362–368CrossRef
go back to reference Holtermann A, Jorgensen MB, Gram B, Christensen JR, Faber A, Overgaard K, Ektor-Andersen J, Mortensen OS, Sjogaard G, Sogaard K (2010) Worksite interventions for preventing physical deterioration among employees in job-groups with high physical work demands: Background, design and conceptual model of FINALE. BMC Public Health 10. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-120 Holtermann A, Jorgensen MB, Gram B, Christensen JR, Faber A, Overgaard K, Ektor-Andersen J, Mortensen OS, Sjogaard G, Sogaard K (2010) Worksite interventions for preventing physical deterioration among employees in job-groups with high physical work demands: Background, design and conceptual model of FINALE. BMC Public Health 10. doi:10.​1186/​1471-2458-10-120
go back to reference Jørgensen MB, Rasmussen CDN, Ekner D, Søgaard K (2010) Successful reach and adoption of a workplace health promotion RCT targeting a group of high-risk workers. BMC Med Res Methodol 10:56CrossRef Jørgensen MB, Rasmussen CDN, Ekner D, Søgaard K (2010) Successful reach and adoption of a workplace health promotion RCT targeting a group of high-risk workers. BMC Med Res Methodol 10:56CrossRef
go back to reference Jørgensen MB, Rasmussen CD, Carneiro IG, Flyvholm M-A, Olesen K, Ekner D, Søgaard K, Holtermann A (2011) Health disparities between immigrant and Danish cleaners. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 84:665–674CrossRef Jørgensen MB, Rasmussen CD, Carneiro IG, Flyvholm M-A, Olesen K, Ekner D, Søgaard K, Holtermann A (2011) Health disparities between immigrant and Danish cleaners. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 84:665–674CrossRef
go back to reference Kronborg CN, Hallas J, Jacobsen IA (2009) Prevalence, awareness, and control of arterial hypertension in Denmark. J Am Soc Hypertens 3:19–24CrossRef Kronborg CN, Hallas J, Jacobsen IA (2009) Prevalence, awareness, and control of arterial hypertension in Denmark. J Am Soc Hypertens 3:19–24CrossRef
go back to reference Labriola M, Lund T (2007) Self-reported sickness absence as an indicator of future disability pension. Prospective findings from the DWECS/DREAM study 1990–2004. Eur J Pub Health 17:47CrossRef Labriola M, Lund T (2007) Self-reported sickness absence as an indicator of future disability pension. Prospective findings from the DWECS/DREAM study 1990–2004. Eur J Pub Health 17:47CrossRef
go back to reference Manor O, Matthews S, Power C (2001) Self-rated health and limiting longstanding illness:inter-relationships with morbidity in early adulthood. Int J Epidemiol 30:600–607CrossRef Manor O, Matthews S, Power C (2001) Self-rated health and limiting longstanding illness:inter-relationships with morbidity in early adulthood. Int J Epidemiol 30:600–607CrossRef
go back to reference Marmot M, Feeney A, Shipley M, North F, Syme SL (1995) Sickness absence as a measure of health status and functioning: from the UK Whitehall II study. J Epidemiol Community Health 49:124–130CrossRef Marmot M, Feeney A, Shipley M, North F, Syme SL (1995) Sickness absence as a measure of health status and functioning: from the UK Whitehall II study. J Epidemiol Community Health 49:124–130CrossRef
go back to reference Nilsson M (2005) Differences and similarities in work absence behavior: empirical evidence from micro data. Växjö University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Management and Economics Nilsson M (2005) Differences and similarities in work absence behavior: empirical evidence from micro data. Växjö University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Management and Economics
go back to reference Olesen K, Carneiro IG, Jorgensen MB, Rugulies R, Rasmussen CD, Sogaard K, Holtermann A, Flyvholm M-A (2011) Associations between psychosocial work environment and hypertension among non-Western immigrant and Danish cleaners. Int Arch Occup Environ Health (Epub ahead of print). doi:10.1007/s00420-011-0728-2 Olesen K, Carneiro IG, Jorgensen MB, Rugulies R, Rasmussen CD, Sogaard K, Holtermann A, Flyvholm M-A (2011) Associations between psychosocial work environment and hypertension among non-Western immigrant and Danish cleaners. Int Arch Occup Environ Health (Epub ahead of print). doi:10.​1007/​s00420-011-0728-2
go back to reference Olesen K, Carneiro IG, Jorgensen MB, Flyvholm M-A, Rugulies R, Rasmussen CD, Sogaard K, Holtermann A (2012) Psychosocial work environment among immigrant and Danish cleaners. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 85:89–95CrossRef Olesen K, Carneiro IG, Jorgensen MB, Flyvholm M-A, Rugulies R, Rasmussen CD, Sogaard K, Holtermann A (2012) Psychosocial work environment among immigrant and Danish cleaners. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 85:89–95CrossRef
go back to reference Ortega A, Carneiro IG, Flyvholm M-A (2010) A descriptive study on immigrant workers in the elderly care sector. J Immigr Minor Health 12:699–706CrossRef Ortega A, Carneiro IG, Flyvholm M-A (2010) A descriptive study on immigrant workers in the elderly care sector. J Immigr Minor Health 12:699–706CrossRef
go back to reference Rasmussen CD, Jorgensen MB, Carneiro IG, Flyvholm M-A, Olesen K, Sogaard K, Holtermann A (2011) Participation of Danish and immigrant cleaners in a 1-year worksite intervention preventing physical deterioration. Ergonomics 55:256–264CrossRef Rasmussen CD, Jorgensen MB, Carneiro IG, Flyvholm M-A, Olesen K, Sogaard K, Holtermann A (2011) Participation of Danish and immigrant cleaners in a 1-year worksite intervention preventing physical deterioration. Ergonomics 55:256–264CrossRef
go back to reference Rhodes SR, Steers RM (1990) Major causes of absenteeism. In: Rhodes SR, Steers RM (eds) Managing employee absenteeism. Addison-Wesley, Reading Rhodes SR, Steers RM (1990) Major causes of absenteeism. In: Rhodes SR, Steers RM (eds) Managing employee absenteeism. Addison-Wesley, Reading
go back to reference Rugulies R, Aust B, Burr H, Bültmann U (2008) Job insecurity, chances on the labour market and decline in self-rated health in a representative sample of the Danish workforce. J Epidemiol Community Health 62:245–250CrossRef Rugulies R, Aust B, Burr H, Bültmann U (2008) Job insecurity, chances on the labour market and decline in self-rated health in a representative sample of the Danish workforce. J Epidemiol Community Health 62:245–250CrossRef
go back to reference Schultz AB, Edington DW (2007) Employee health and presenteeism: a systematic review. J Occup Rehabil 17:547–579CrossRef Schultz AB, Edington DW (2007) Employee health and presenteeism: a systematic review. J Occup Rehabil 17:547–579CrossRef
go back to reference Soler-Gonzalez J, Serna MC, Bosch A, Ruiz MC, Huertas E, Rue M (2008) Sick leave among native and immigrant workers in Spain-a 6-month follow-up study. Scand J Work Environ Health 34:438–443CrossRef Soler-Gonzalez J, Serna MC, Bosch A, Ruiz MC, Huertas E, Rue M (2008) Sick leave among native and immigrant workers in Spain-a 6-month follow-up study. Scand J Work Environ Health 34:438–443CrossRef
go back to reference Statistics Denmark (2009) Immigrants in Denmark 2009 [In Danish]. Statistics Denmark, Copenhagen Statistics Denmark (2009) Immigrants in Denmark 2009 [In Danish]. Statistics Denmark, Copenhagen
go back to reference Statistics Denmark (2010) Statistical Yearbook 2010. Statistics Denmark, Copenhagen Statistics Denmark (2010) Statistical Yearbook 2010. Statistics Denmark, Copenhagen
go back to reference Timonen V (2004) New risks—are they still new for the Nordic Welfare States. In: New Risks, New Welfare. The transformation of the European Welfare State. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 83–110 Timonen V (2004) New risks—are they still new for the Nordic Welfare States. In: New Risks, New Welfare. The transformation of the European Welfare State. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 83–110
go back to reference Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Eskelinen L, Jarvinen E, Toikkanen J, Klockars M (1991) Prevalence and incidence rates of diseases and work ability in different work categories of municipal occupations. Scand J Work Environ Health 17:67–74CrossRef Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Eskelinen L, Jarvinen E, Toikkanen J, Klockars M (1991) Prevalence and incidence rates of diseases and work ability in different work categories of municipal occupations. Scand J Work Environ Health 17:67–74CrossRef
go back to reference Ware JE, Sherbourne CD (1992) The Mos 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36): I. Conceptual-framework and item selection. Med Care 30:473–483CrossRef Ware JE, Sherbourne CD (1992) The Mos 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36): I. Conceptual-framework and item selection. Med Care 30:473–483CrossRef
go back to reference Wiking E, Johansson SE, Sundquist J (2004) Ethnicity, acculturation, and self reported health. A population based study among immigrants from Poland, Turkey, and Iran in Sweden. J Epidemiol Community Health 58:574CrossRef Wiking E, Johansson SE, Sundquist J (2004) Ethnicity, acculturation, and self reported health. A population based study among immigrants from Poland, Turkey, and Iran in Sweden. J Epidemiol Community Health 58:574CrossRef
Metadata
Title
The association between health and sickness absence among Danish and non-Western immigrant cleaners in Denmark
Authors
Isabella G. Carneiro
Charlotte D. N. Rasmussen
Marie B. Jørgensen
Mari-Ann Flyvholm
Kasper Olesen
Pascal Madeleine
Dorte Ekner
Karen Søgaard
Andreas Holtermann
Publication date
01-05-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0773-5

Other articles of this Issue 4/2013

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 4/2013 Go to the issue