Table 3

High sickness incidence: univariate and multivariate analyses of work related factors for men

Variables3-150 Exposed cases
(n)
Multivariate analyses OR (95% CI) Univariate analyses
OR (95% CI)3-151
The workplace and the work:
No supervisor position 4261.39 (0.99 to 1.95)1.93 (1.48 to 2.52)
Environmental physical factors and work load:
Complaints due to heavy lifting at work 1461.70 (1.20 to 2.41)2.46 (1.88 to 3.22)
Complaints due to monotonous movements 2181.45 (1.08 to 1.95)2.12 (1.68 to 2.67)
 Work in a forward bent position3031.05 (0.80 to 1.38)1.58 (1.27 to 1.97)
Noise 3141.29 (0.99 to 1.69)1.64 (1.32 to 2.04)
 Bad lighting conditions2951.03 (0.79 to 1.35)1.60 (1.28 to 1.99)
 No possibility to adjust the chair521.40 (0.89 to 2.20)1.74 (1.16 to 2.59)
 Work with visual display units1011.27 (0.90 to 1.80)0.63 (0.48 to 0.82)
Working hours:
Desire to have flexible working hours 2011.26 (0.96 to 1.65)1.54 (1.22 to 1.94)
>50 hours overtime work during 1993 1870.70 (0.53 to 0.91)0.76 (0.61 to 0.96)
Workmates and managers:
 Seldom or never get sufficient information3481.03 (0.78 to 1.36)1.58 (1.26 to 1.98)
Work organization:
 Cannot decide when to take short breakes2801.14 (0.87 to 1.48)1.70 (1.37 to 2.12)
 Cannot make or take private telephone calls1981.21 (0.92 to 1.59)1.58 (1.25 to 2.00)
 The job is nothing to be proud of2401.17 (0.89 to 1.53)1.76 (1.40 to 2.20)
 Seldom or never possibility to postpone duties4391.05 (0.75 to 1.48)1.93 (1.48 to 2.52)
 1 to 5 days of education during 1993391.04 (0.63 to 1.72)0.45 (0.31 to 0.67)
Anxiety:
 Often anxiety of illness due to work2571.16 (0.88 to 1.53)1.74 (1.40 to 2.18)
Often anxiety about reorganisation of the workplace 1431.93 (1.34 to 2.77)2.04 (1.56 to 2.66)
 Often anxiety about new techniques at the workplace1641.19 (0.89 to 1.59)1.51 (1.18 to 1.93)
Often anxiety about downsizing at the workplace 1910.62 (0.45 to 0.85)1.22 (0.97 to 1.54)
Illness:
Have been working instead of taking sick leave 3671.60 (1.22 to 2.10)2.14 (1.70 to 2.69)
Sick leave: duties are carried out by colleagues 2111.54 (1.13 to 2.09)1.47 (1.17 to 1.86)
Sick leave: duties are carried out by temporary employees 3441.63 (1.20 to 2.20)1.55 (1.24 to 1.94)
Age (y)3-152:
31–40 1990.81 (0.57 to 1.14)0.75 (0.56 to 1.01)
41–50 1490.49 (0.34 to 0.70)0.43 (0.32 to 0.59)
>50 490.60 (0.37 to 0.98)0.44 (0.29 to 0.66)
  • 3-150 The wording of the variables refers to the exposure, and other responses were unexposed. The italics indicate variables that were included in the final multivariate model.

  • 3-151 Age adjusted Mantel-Haenszel.

  • 3-152 Compared with men younger than 31.