Absenteeism Among Healthcare Workers: Job Grade and Other Factors That Matter in Sickness Absence

Carine J. Sakr, Lina M. Fakih, Umayya M. Musharrafieh, Ghassan M. Khairallah, Maha H. Makki, Rita M. Doudakian, Hani Tamim, Carrie A. Redlich, Martin D. Slade and Diana V. Rahme ()
Additional contact information
Carine J. Sakr: Employee Health Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
Lina M. Fakih: Employee Health Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
Umayya M. Musharrafieh: Employee Health Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
Ghassan M. Khairallah: Employee Health Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
Maha H. Makki: Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
Rita M. Doudakian: Employee Health Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
Hani Tamim: Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
Carrie A. Redlich: Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06501, USA
Martin D. Slade: Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06501, USA
Diana V. Rahme: Employee Health Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Background: Absenteeism among healthcare workers (HCWs) disrupts workflows and hampers the delivery of adequate patient care. The aim of the study was to examine predictors of sick leaves among HCWs in a tertiary medical center in Lebanon. Methods: A retrospective analysis of sick leaves linked to health records of 2850 HCWs between 2015 and 2018 was performed. Sick leave episodes were stratified by diagnosis. Bivariate and negative binomial regression analyses were performed to investigate predictors. Results: The mean number of sick leave episodes was 10.6 per person over 4 years. The strongest predictor of higher sickness absenteeism was low job grade (IR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.39, 1.67). Female sex (IR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.14, 1.36), older age (IR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.08, 1.30), being married (IR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.11, 1.33), being a current smoker (IR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.11, 1.32), and having a history of selected medical conditions were all significant sick leave predictors. Conclusion: Demographic, work-related, and health-related predictors are associated with the number of sick leave episodes. To address the health inequity, additional research should evaluate how some socio-economic factors determine poorer health outcomes and should guide approaches to address this crucial issue to protect the health and well-being of this key workforce.

Keywords: healthcare workers; sickness absenteeism; sick leave predictors; job grade; tailored interventions; health inequity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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