title: Psychosocial and organizational risk factors for doctor-certified sick leave: a prospective study of female health and social workers in Norway.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Doctor-certified sick leave differs substantially across sectors, and among health and social workers, in particular, there is an increased risk. Previous studies have shown that work environmental factors contribute to sick leave. Hence, the identification of specific organizational and psychosocial risk factors for long- term sick leave, taking into account potential confounding related to mechanical risk factors such as lifting and awkward body postures, will be of importance in the work of prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomly drawn population sample of Norwegian residents was interviewed about working conditions in 2009 (n = 12,255; response rate 60.9%). Female health and social care workers (n = 925) were followed in a national registry for subsequent sickness absence during 2010. The outcome of interest was doctor-certified sick leave of 21 days or more (long-term sick leave). Eleven work-related psychosocial and organizational factors were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 186 persons (20.1%) were classified with subsequent long-term sick leave. After thoroughly adjusting for competing explanatory variables, the most consistent predictors for long-term sick leave were violence and threats of violence (OR = 1.67; 95% CI 1.14-2.45). The estimated population attributable risk for violence and threats of violence was 13%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study among female health and social care workers revealed a substantial relationship between self-reported violence and threats of violence and subsequent long- term sick leave.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health Surveillance, National Institute of Occupational Health, PO BOX 8149 Dep, NO-0033 Oslo, Norway. cecilie.aagestad@stami.no.
authors.forename: Cecilie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aagestad
authors.forename: Reidar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tyssen
authors.forename: Håkon A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Johannessen
authors.forename: Hans Magne
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Gravseth
authors.forename: Tore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tynes
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sterud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012947:Social Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*