Related Experiment Videos
Work attendance despite headache and its economic impact: a comparison between two workplaces
1Department of Welfare and Care, Nursing Program, Campus Norrköping, Linköping University, Sweden.
Headache
|November 25, 2003
Summary
Headache significantly impacts work productivity, costing Swedish employers approximately 1.4 billion euros annually. Addressing workplace headache through stress management programs could offer financial and clinical benefits.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Health Economics
- Neurology
Background:
- Traditional economic impact studies of headache focus on direct costs.
- Limited research exists on the economic consequences of headache experienced during work, particularly concerning reduced effectiveness and productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate work attendance despite headache in two distinct workplace settings.
- To assess the economic impact of headache on productivity and effectiveness in employees.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was administered to 800 employees (400 in technology, 400 at a university hospital).
- The study assessed headache prevalence, work attendance with headache, and self-reported decrease in work effectiveness.
- Economic loss was estimated based on reported days worked despite headache and reduced effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Headache prevalence was 64% in private employees and 78% in public employees; stress was a common trigger.
- Approximately 50% of employees worked despite experiencing headache, averaging over 6 days in the past 3 months.
- A 25% decrease in work effectiveness was estimated, leading to an annual economic loss of ~1.4 billion euros for Swedish employers.
Conclusions:
- Headache imposes a substantial economic burden on workplaces.
- Workplace-based interventions, including stress management, may provide both clinical and financial advantages.