Aims To assess determinants of absenteeism among employees with occupational musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at the Department of Occupational Medicine in the University Hospital of Tunisia. The survey took place during the year 2019 and was conducted using a pre-established questionnaire, relating to the description of socio-demographic data and the assessment of work capacity by the Work Ability Index questionnaire ‘WAI’. The study of absenteeism linked to MSDs was carried out using the Work Performance Questionnaire ‘WPQ’.

Result A total of 63 participants, all females, mean age 41 ± 8 years, had consulted for a musculoskeletal problem. In this series, 58% of these women had a low level of education (primary). They were married in 77% of cases with more than two children in charge in 61% of cases. The average professional length was 20 ± 7 years. Sectors of activity were clothing (92%), food processing (4%), and the automotive wiring industry (4%). The capacity for work perceived by all the operators was low in 85% of cases and average in 15% of the cases. The mean relative absenteeism of the study population was 31%. Absenteeism was significantly correlated: with age (p = 0.03), with the work of the spouse (p = 0.006), with the distance between the place of work and the residence (p = 0.015), with the sector (p = 0.001) and professional seniority (p = 0.032). In this work, the explanatory model of medical absenteeism linked to work-related MSDs was statically linked to professional length of service (p =0.02; OR =2.3, IC = [1.3–4.5]).

Conclusion Musculoskeletal disorders have various repercussions in terms of suffering and interruption of professional careers of employees, but also high economic costs. As a result, a comprehensive and integrated prevention approach must be put in place.