Estimating the cost of alcohol-related absenteeism in the Australian workforce: The importance of consumption patterns.
Med J Aust
; 185(11-12): 637-41, 2006.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17181511
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To estimate the extent and cost of alcohol-related absenteeism in the Australian workforce.DESIGN:
A secondary analysis of select data obtained from 13 582 Australian workers (aged > or = 14 years) collected as part of the 2001 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. MAIN OUTCOMEMEASURES:
Self-reported measures of alcohol-related absenteeism, illness or injury absenteeism and alcohol consumption categorised according to National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines for short- and long-term risk.RESULTS:
The use of self-reported measures of alcohol-related absenteeism resulted in an estimate of 2,682,865 work days lost due to alcohol use in 2001, at a cost of 437 million dollars. The use of self-reported measures of illness or injury absenteeism to determine the extent of absenteeism attributable to alcohol use resulted in an estimate of 7,402,341 work days lost, at a cost of 1 .2 billion dollars. These estimates are about 12 to 34 times greater than previous estimates based on national data. Low-risk drinkers and infrequent or occasional risky and high-risk drinkers accounted for 49%-66% of alcohol-related absenteeism.CONCLUSIONS:
The extent and cost of alcohol-related absenteeism is far greater than previously reported, and more than half the burden of alcohol-related absenteeism is incurred by low-risk drinkers and those who infrequently drink heavily.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Alcohol Drinking
/
Absenteeism
/
Employment
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Qualitative_research
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
Med J Aust
Year:
2006
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: