[Work absenteeism in Chile according to the type of work place].
BACKGROUND
The issue of medically justified work absenteeism has a great relevance in Chile at the present moment.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze sick leaves among people working in hospitals, mines, automotive industry and universities.


METHODS
Analysis of 14 thesis and research papers about absenteeism in Chile. The incapacity rate (number of days with sick leave per worker per year, the frequency rate (number of sick leaves per year per worker) and the severity rate (mean duration of sick leaves) were calculated. The diseases causing the highest rates of absenteeism were also recorded.


RESULTS
The mean age of the studied populations was 36 years old and the most common diseases causing absenteeism were respiratory, rheumatologic and trauma. Hospital workers had the highest incapacity rate with 14.3 days of sick leave per worker per year, followed by mining industry with 12 days, automotive industry with 7.1 days and universities with 6 days.


CONCLUSIONS
In Chile, respiratory diseases are the main cause of sick leaves and hospital workers have the highest incapacity rate.
Mesa
Francisco R
FR
Departamento de Gobierno y Empresa, Universidad de los Lagos. fmesa@ulagos.cl
Kaempffer
Ana María
AM
D000041:Absenteeism; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*