Table 4

Baseline characteristics that predicted sickness absence during the successive three months

Characteristics at baselineOR (95% CI)p value†
The final equation in a forward stepwise logistic regression analysis, with likelihood ratio test used as the criterion for determining variables to be removed from the model. n=3938.
OR, odds ratio; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval.
†p values from likelihood ratio test if term (overall variable) removed.
‡as the only activity.
‡‡as the only activity or in combination with slow walks.
The overall rate of correct classification of the dependent variable (predicted outcome compared with the observed outcome) was estimated as 70.3%.
The factors not retained in the final equation were age, gender, the level of affective symptoms, sleep complaints, presence of widespread pain, daily consumption of cigarettes, amount of quantitative job demands, frequency of handling heavy objects at work, the extent to which the work required physical endurance, control over decisions at work, control over work pace, level of role conflicts at work, pleasant and relaxing organisational culture, rewards for good work, fairness in the immediate superior’s leadership, support from the immediate superior, threats and violence at work, harassment at work, and personal engagement in the work unit.
Working in a psychiatric ward0.014
    No1.00
    Yes1.39 (1.07 to 1.81)
Working in a paediatric ward0.043
    No1.00
    Yes1.73 (1.03 to 2.91)
Working in places that are not common to work in among nurses’ aides0.001
    No1.00
    Yes0.53 (0.36 to 0.77)
Encouraging and supportive culture in the work unit0.002
    Not at all, very little or rather little1.73 (1.28 to 2.34)
    To some extent0.99 (0.80 to 1.24)
    Rather much1.07 (0.89 to 1.28)
    Very much1.00
Suspicious culture in the work unit0.017
    Not at all/very little1.00
    Rather little0.80 (0.68 to 0.95)
    To some extent1.06 (0.84 to 1.33)
    Rather much or very much0.71 (0.47 to 1.07)
Had (ever) changed work or work tasks because of pain0.009
    No1.00
    Yes1.30 (1.07 to 1.59)
Had (ever) injured the neck in an accident0.001
    No1.00
    Yes1.62 (1.25 to 2.09)
Intensity of musculoskeletal pain0.000
    No pain1.00
    A little1.41 (1.07 to 1.86)
    Rather intense1.82 (1.36 to 2.43)
    Intense2.43 (1.77 to 3.35)
Fatigue0.001
    Always fit1.00
    Usually fit1.03 (0.67 to 1.59)
    Varied between fit and fatigued1.20 (0.78 to 1.85)
    Usually or always fatigued1.73 (1.09 to 2.75)
Long term health problems (any kind)0.001
    No problem1.00
    Yes, but not bothered1.34 (1.02 to 1.74)
    Yes, somewhat bothered1.35 (1.12 to 1.62)
    Yes, a lot bothered1.59 (1.19 to 2.13)
Regular physical exercise in the leisure time (previous 3 months)0.003
    No regular exercise1.00
    Slow walks‡1.12 (0.90 to 1.38)
    Brisk walks‡‡0.90 (0.73 to 1.10)
    Aerobics or gym‡‡0.57 (0.40 to 0.82)
    Other activities or combinations1.05 (0.87 to 1.27)