Factors affecting medical leave frequency among semiurban adult population in Malaysia

Netty Darwina Mohd Dawam and Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh*

Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia Medical Centre

*Corresponding Author E-mail: sh_ezat@yahoo.com; Tel No: 603 – 91455891; Fax: 603 - 91456670

Accepted 11 February, 2013

Abstract

Most of the studies regarding medical leave evolving around the work related and not much studies done on general population as a whole. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the factor affecting the medical leave frequency either higher or lower in Hulu Langat district. A cross sectional studies done among of household in Hulu Langat district and by using Fisher’s random numbers, the sampling units were selected according to the types of residences. From the selected sampling, all the males and females aged 18 to 65 years old were recruited to participate in this study. The data were collected using a standardized and semi guided questionnaires by using the General Health Assessment (HRA) Questionnaire format with close ended questions on the medical leave distribution. A total of 811 respondents were included in the final analysis.  The results show that presence of chronic disease, frequent acute disease and moderate perception to health had higher towards regular medical leave. Thus, prevention and control of  chronic disease will actually lead to better perception of health and further prompt treatment of acute disease will reduce the medical leave are recommended. Other than that, suggestion to include work related variable such as job satisfaction,  job stress, nature of work and duration of working hour  in future study are highly recommended.

Keywords:  Medical leave, Adult, Chronic disease, Acute disease and Perception of Health