Absenteeism and Associated Factors in Workers of a High-Level Educational Institution, Cartagena-Colombia

To analyze the sociodemographic characteristics, organizational factors and cardiovascular risk factors related to work absenteeism in a higher education institution in the city of Cartagena-Colombia. Cross-sectional analytical study with a probabilistic sample of 162 workers. We recorded sociodemographic data, personal and family history, in addition, we performed a physical examination that included: abdominal circumference, height, weight and blood pressure. Also, clinical laboratory tests were performed for the analysis of lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) and fasting blood glucose, determined by enzymatic colorimetric and automated methods. A frequency of absenteeism of 24.7% was estimated, being more frequent in the age group of 40 to 49 years and with a statistically significant difference between women and men. All the organizational variables studied showed a statistical association with work absenteeism. In contrast, the only cardiovascular risk factors that showed statistical association were: abdominal obesity and personal history of arterial hypertension. The evidences found allow us to think about the need to implement, immediately, a program of lifestyle change and healthy work, which includes a motivational strategy of change that, together, reduce the occurrence of absenteeism and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors found in the study population.