Presenteeism in a Dutch hand eczema population—a cross‐sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundPresenteeism (attending work despite complaints and ill health, which should prompt rest and absence) has been overlooked in the field of hand eczema.ObjectivesTo examine the 1‐year prevalence of presenteeism related to hand eczema in a population of hand eczema patients who visited a tertiary referral centre. Secondary objectives: to identify intrinsic/extrinsic reasons for presenteeism and to evaluate associated factors.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional questionnaire study. Presenteeism was defined as “going to work despite feeling you should have taken sick leave because of hand eczema”. Respondents answered questions about socio‐demographic factors, clinical features, occupational characteristics, and hand eczema related to occupational exposure.ResultsForty‐one per cent (141/346) of patients who had both worked and had hand eczema during the past 12 months reported presenteeism. The most often reported reasons were: “Because I do not want to give in to my impairment/weakness” (46%) and “Because I enjoy my work” (40%). Presenteeism was associated with: mean hand eczema severity; absenteeism because of hand eczema; improvement of hand eczema when away from work; and high‐risk occupations.ConclusionsIn this study, presenteeism was common and predominantly observed in patients with more severe hand eczema and occupational exposure. The most frequently reported reasons for presenteeism were of an intrinsic nature.

Sickness presenteeism: Are we sure about what we are studying? A research based on a literature review and an empirical illustration

“…Among the few studies not measuring SP through self‐reports, we find two types. First, those working with samples exclusively composed of sick workers and which define as presenteeist those who are in fact working . The rest correspond to studies which, based on some particular criterion, define the “unhealthy” worker and next define him as “presenteeist” if he had no sickness absence in the same period or subsequently …”

Hand eczema among Dutch beekeepers – a cross‐sectional study

“…We also assessed the self‐reported influence of hand eczema on beekeeping activities (scale from 0–10) and whether respondents spent less time on beekeeping activities because of their hand eczema (absenteeism). To address presenteeism, we asked if respondents performed beekeeping activities despite feeling that they should not have done so because of the hand eczema . Hand eczema severity was self‐assessed by beekeepers, using the photographic guide of Coenraads et al.…”

“…Before analyzing the results, we applied two exclusion criteria: Working in a wet work occupation as well as working as beekeeper. Wet work was assessed using the following three questions : On an average working day, while working, for how many hours do your hands come into direct contact with water, fluids and/or moist products? Never/less than 0.5 hours/0.5–1 hour/1–2 hours/more than 2 hours. On an average working day, while working, for how many hours do you wear gloves that are impermeable to fluids?…”

Handekzeme bei niederländischen Imkern – eine Querschnittsuntersuchung

“…Ausgewertet wurden ebenfalls Eigenaussagen zu den Auswirkungen des Handekzems auf die Imkerei (Skala von 1–10) und ob die Imker aufgrund des Handekzems die Imkerei einschränkten (Absentismus). Um den Präsentismus zu adressieren, fragten wir die Teilnehmer, ob sie als Imker tätig waren, obwohl sie das Gefühl hatten, dass sie es aufgrund des Handekzems nicht tun sollten . Der Schweregrad des Handekzems wurde von den Imkern unter Verwendung des Photographic Guide von Coenraads et al.…”

“…Beschäftigung sowohl in einem Beruf mit Feuchtarbeit als auch als Imker. Ob es sich um Feuchtarbeit handelte, wurde anhand der drei folgenden Fragen ermittelt : „Wie lange sind Ihre Hände an einem durchschnittlichen Arbeitstag während des Arbeitens in direktem Kontakt mit Wasser, Flüssigkeiten und/oder in feuchtem Milieu?“ Nie, weniger als 0,5 Stunden, 0,5–1 Stunde, 1–2 Stunden oder mehr als 2 Stunden. „Wie lange tragen Sie an einem durchschnittlichen Arbeitstag während des Arbeitens flüssigkeitsdichte Handschuhe?“ Nie, weniger als 0,5 Stunden, 0,5–1 Stunde, 1–2 Stunden oder mehr als 2 Stunden. „Wie oft waschen Sie an einem durchschnittlichen Arbeitstag während des Arbeitens Ihre Hände?“ Nie, weniger als 5‐mal, 5–10‐mal, 10–20‐mal oder öfter als 20‐mal.…”