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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

Published in:

01-09-2013

Modern Health Worries, Subjective Health Complaints, Health Care Utilization, and Sick Leave in the Norwegian Working Population

Authors: Anne-Marthe Rustad Indregard, Camilla Martha Ihlebæk, Hege Randi Eriksen

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 3/2013

Abstract

Background

Modern health worries (concerns about aspects of modern life affecting health) heve been associated with subjective health complaints and health care utilization.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between modern health worries (MHW) and subjective health complaints (SHC), health care utilization, and sick leave related to such complaints in the Norwegian working population.

Methods

A sample of the Norwegian working population (N = 569) answered a questionnaire which included the Subjective Health Complaints Inventory and a Norwegian version of the Modern Health Worries Scale.

Results

Ninety-one percent of the participants reported at least one complaint in the past 30 days, and 96 % of the participants reported concerns for at least one of the items in the MHW scale. Women reported significantly more and more severe complaints compared to men and significantly more concern about aspects of modern life affecting health. Participants who reported a high level of MHW showed nearly twice the risk of reporting a high level of SHC (odds ratio (OR) = 1.83; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.30–2.71; p = 0.001), and they showed twice the risk for self-certified sick leave related to SHC (OR = 2.04; 95 % CI = 1.01–3.92; p = 0.048). High levels of MHW showed no significant association with health care utilization or doctor-certified sick leave.

Conclusions

Subjective health complaints and concerns about aspects of modern life affecting health are very common, even among healthy workers. Women have more complaints and more concerns compared to men. Within the health care system, it may be advantageous to pay close attention to the association between high levels of MHW and high levels of SHC.

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Title: Modern Health Worries, Subjective Health Complaints, Health Care Utilization, and Sick Leave in the Norwegian Working Population
Authors: Anne-Marthe Rustad Indregard
Camilla Martha Ihlebæk
Hege Randi Eriksen
Publication date: 01-09-2013
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-012-9246-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Modern Health Worries, Subjective Health Complaints, Health Care Utilization, and Sick Leave in the Norwegian Working Population

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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