The relationship between pain attitudes and beliefs, absenteeism and health-related quality of life of workers with musculoskeletal disorders: A mixed-methods study

Abstract

Absenteeism from work due to sick leave is a global phenomenon and has cost economies billions of dollars. In South Africa alone, the economy loses between 12-16 billion Rands annually because of productivity loss due to absenteeism. The national absenteeism rate on any given day can be as high as 15%, with 40% having no diagnosis. Pain is a common experience and results in impairments in meaningful life roles such as family, leisure and work. Workers are the essence of human capital, and reduced work participation due to painful conditions directly affects the economy. Pain is debilitating to any individual who does not understand it or how to control it.