A cross-sectional study of psychosocial factors and sickness presenteeism in Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background We examined the association between socioeconomic and health status, and lifestyle and sickness presenteeism among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods A cross-sectional study using an Internet-monitor survey was conducted in December, 2020 in Japan. Of 33,302 survey participants, we analyzed 27,036 participants (13,814 men and 13,222 women ) who reported experience with sickness presenteeism. Results The odds ratio ( OR ) of sickness presenteeism associated with unmarried versus married status was 1.15. Respective figures for other variables were 1.11 for manual laboring work compared to desk work; 1.79 and 2.29 for loss of employment at the time the pandemic began and continuation of unemployment compared to maintaining employment during the pandemic; and 3.34 for a feeling of financial instability compared to stability. Conclusion The issue of sickness presenteeism has become more prominent under the COVID-19 epidemic .