Preschool Children's Absenteeism from Swedish Municipal Day-Care Centres because of Illness in 1977 and 1990. Geographical Variations and Characteristics of the Day-Care Centres

Abstract

A study was undertaken to compare the absenteeism from Swedish day-care centre departments (DCCDs) because of illness in different geographical areas in 1977 and 1990, and to determine whether any characteristics of DCCDs could explain variations in absenteeism. Recordings of absenteeism were made during the same three months among 0–6–year-olds enrolled at 476 DCCDs in 1977 and at 561 DCCDs in 1990. Absenteeism was measured as the number of days in which the children did not attend their DCCD because of any illness divided by the total number of days for which they could have attended. The results, which are representative for Sweden, showed that absenteeism was highest in the three largest cities and their suburbs and in industrial areas, and lowest in rural and sparsely populated municipalities. In all geographical areas absenteeism was higher in 1977 than in 1990. Among the 0–2-year-olds, absenteeism was higher among those enrolled in groups for young children that among those in extended groups for siblings. For the 0–2-year-olds, the amount of time spent outdoors together with the day-care group was inversely associated with absenteeism.

Keywords

preschool children day-care centre absenteeism illness region respiratory tract infection

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

1. Wenger J.D. , Harrison LH , Hightower A , Broome CV. , Day care characteristics associated with haemophilus influenzae disease. Am J Public Health 1990; 80: 1455–8.

2. Rasmussen F , Sundelin C. , Use of medical care and antibiotics among preschool children in different day care settings. Acta Paediatr Scand 1990; 79: 838–16.

3. Anderson L.J. , Parker RA , Strikas RA , Farrar JA , Gangarosa FJ , Keyserling HL et al. Day-care center attendance and hospitalization for lower respiratory tract illness. Pediatrics 1988; 82: 300–8.

4. Dahl I.L. , Grufman M , Hellberg C , Krabbe M. , Absenteeism because of illness at daycare centers and in three-family systems. Acta Paediatr Scand 1991; 80: 436–45.

5. Statistiska centralbyrån. Barnomsorgsundersökningen 1980. Del 2. Förskolebarn 0–6 år. (Survey of child care needs in 1980. Part 2. Preschool children 0–6 years of age). Stockholm, Sweden: Statistics Sweden, 1980. Statistical Report S 1980: 20. (In Swedish)

6. Statistiska centralbyrån. Barnomsorgsundersökningen 1990. Förskolebarn. (Survey of child care needs in 1990 among preschool children 0–6 years of age). Stockholm, Sweden: Statistics Sweden, 1990. Statistical Report S 11 SM 9001. (In Swedish)

7. Statistiska centralbyrån. Barns och personals narvaro och frånvaro i daghem 1977. (The presence and absence of children and staffat day-care centers in 1977). Stockholm, Sweden: Statistics Sweden, 1979. Statistical Report S 1979: 1. (In Swedish)

8. Rasmussen F, Bondestam M. Preschool children's absenteeism from Swedish municipal day-care centres in 1977 and 1990: Methodology and socio-demographic factors. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 1993: 7. (In press).

9. Wretman J. Skattning av sjukfrånvaron i redovisnings-grupper. (Estimation of absenteeism from day-care centers due to illness for subgroups of children). Stockholm, Sweden: University of Stockholm, Department of Statistics 1991. (Statistical Report). (In Swedish)

10.

10. Särndal CE , Swensson B , Wretman J. Model assisted survey sampling. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1992: 319–22.

11.

11. Böttiger M , Christenson B , Romanus V , Taranger J , Strandell A. , Swedish experience of two dose vaccination programme aiming at eliminating measles, mumps, and rubella. Br Med J 1987; 295: 1264–7.

12.

12. Andrae S , Axelson O , Björkstén B , Fredriksson M , Kjellman NIM. , Symptoms of bronchial hyperreactivity and asthma in relation to environmental factors. Arch Dis Child 1988; 63: 473–8.

13.

13. Spinaci S , Arossa W , Bugiani M , Natale P , Bucca C , de Candussio G. , The effects of air pollution on the respiratory health of children: A cross-sectional study. Pediatr Pulmonol 1985; 1: 262–6.

14.

14. Dockery D.W. , Speizer FE , Stram DO , Ware JH , Spengler JD , Ferris BG. , Effects of inhalable particles on respiratory health of children. Am Rev Respir Dis 1989; 139: 587–94.

15.

15. Yocom JE. , Indoor-outdoor air quality relationships. A critical review. J Air Pollut Control Assoc 1982; 32: 500–20.

16.

16. Keswick B.H. , Pickering LK , DuPont HL , Woodward WE. , Survival and detection of rotaviruses on environmental surfaces in day care centers. Appl Environ Microbiol 1983; 46: 813–6.

17.

17. Van R , Morrow AL , Reves RR , Pickering LK. , Environmental contamination in child day-care centers. Am J Epidemiol 1991; 133; 460–70.