The association between physical activity, productivity, and health care utilization among employees in Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To document the relationship between physical activity, absenteeism, presenteeism, health care utilization, and morbidity among Brazilian automotive workers.


METHODS
Eligible employees (N = 620) completed a questionnaire. Univariate correlations, multivariate logistic regression, and Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient were used.


RESULTS
Work absenteeism was associated with physical activity at work (OPA) (odds ratio, [OR] = 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.31 to 2.02) and leisure physical activity time excluding sport (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.58 to 1.00). Health care utilization was associated with OPA (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.99 to 1.58) and leisure physical activity time excluding sport (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.57 to 1.02). Presenteeism showed an indirect relationship with OPA (r = 0.099, P = 0.014). Referred morbidity was associated with OPA (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.61) and sports during leisure time (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.54 to 0.82).


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity components seem to have differential relationships to the studied outcomes. Associations measured indicate negative impacts of OPA on absenteeism, health care utilization, and morbidity, although overall physical activity did not show these relationships.
Fonseca
Vera Regina
VR
Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Heart Institute, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. verafonseca@uol.com.br
Nobre
Moacyr Roberto Cuce
MR
Pronk
Nicolaas P
NP
Santos
Luciana Alves
LA
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D001336:Automobiles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004526:Efficiency; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology