PREVALENCE OF LONG-TERM SICK LEAVE AMONG FEMALE HOME CARE PERSONNEL IN NORTHERN SWEDEN

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the occurrenc e, cause, and degree of long term sick leave among home care personnel . Home care personnel were compared with child caretakers, nursery sch ool teachers, and teachers. The source population was residents in the four most northern counties in Sweden. Cases were persons on long-ter m sick leave (>29 days), and information was collected from the local insurance offices. The prevalence of long-term sick leave was highest among home care personnel, and an increase with age was also found wit hin this group. Musculoskeletal complaints were very common as an unde rlying cause of long-term sick leave among home care personnel. Finall y, full-time sick leave was the most common type of sick leave, especi ally among home care personnel.