Estimating Absenteeism Due to Influenza in Canada
Author Information
Author(s): Dena L Schanzer, Hui Zheng, Jason Gilmore
Primary Institution: Public Health Agency of Canada
Hypothesis
The study aimed to estimate absenteeism rates and hours lost due to seasonal influenza and compare these with estimates from the H1N1 pandemic waves.
Conclusion
Absenteeism rates for the 2009 pandemic were similar to those for seasonal influenza, but employees took more time off due to the pandemic strain.
Supporting Evidence
- Absenteeism rates due to seasonal influenza averaged 12% over the 1997/98 to 2008/09 seasons.
- Hours lost due to the H1N1/09 pandemic strain were 0.2% of potential hours worked annually.
- Employees took an average of 14 hours off for seasonal influenza and 25 hours for the pandemic strain.
Takeaway
The study found that many people miss work because of the flu, and during the pandemic, they missed even more time than usual.
Methodology
Absenteeism rates were modeled using data from Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey, focusing on hours lost due to illness from 1998 to 2009.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on self-reported data and the challenge of distinguishing influenza from other respiratory illnesses.
Limitations
The study did not have sufficient statistical power to assess the effects of various employment characteristics on absenteeism rates.
Participant Demographics
Employed persons aged 15 and over in Canada.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.08
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.06-0.10
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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