Pre-school children's absenteeism from Swedish municipal day-care centres in 1977 and 1990: methodology and socio-demographic factors.
The absenteeism of Swedish pre-school children from municipal day-care centre departments (DCCDs) was studied for the years 1977 and 1990. The research questions were: (1) has absenteeism due to illness changed from 1977 to 1990?; and (2) is absenteeism caused by illness which is influenced by socio-demographic factors? Absenteeism was recorded during February, March and April for 92% of 0-6 year olds enrolled in 476 DCCDs in 1977, and for 88% of the children in 561 DCCDs in 1990. It was measured as the number of days the children were not in attendance due to any illness, divided by the total number of days they could have attended their DCCD. Absenteeism was higher in 1977 than in 1990 for all ages. In 1977 and 1990, among 0-1 year olds it was 20.5% and 14.3%, respectively. The proportion of 0-2 year olds who had been absent for 25% or more of possible days of attendance was 24.5% in 1977 and 14.0% in 1990. Children 0-2 years of age with self-employed mothers were absent less from their DCCD than those whose mothers were manual workers or non-manual employees. Among 0-2 year olds living in the largest cities, absenteeism was higher for those living in apartments compared with the children living in single-family houses.
Rasmussen
F
F
Department of Paediatrics, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Bondestam
M
M
D000041:Absenteeism; D000367:Age Factors; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013548:Sweden; D014931:Women, Working