A pregnant employee absence: the main causes of absenteeism/Afastamento do trabalho por pacientes gestantes: principais causas de absentismo

Context: The inclusion of women in the labor market is a fact, however, physiological aspects related to gender are still viewed by employers as a negative aspect, among them, pregnancy. Accordingly, little is known about factors related to pregnancy as a cause of absenteeism and whether these conditions actually constitute a factor that reduces the productivity of a working woman. Objective: To evaluate the main causes of sick leave for pregnant patients seen in the outpatient clinic of Obstetrics Maternity Marly Sarney and to relate them to socio-economic and cultural characteristics. Method: In this qualitative descriptive study, the data were collected from March to June 2013. Through a structured interview questionnaire administered during the consultations, a survey of socio-cultural data from patients treated prenatally was performed by relating the causes of absenteeism. Data were tabulated and used for studies of frequency and association by [chi square] or Fisher's exact tests. Results: The majority of the working women interviewed were aged between 25 and 35 years (62%), had completed high school (70%), were married or in a stable relationship (63%), were in the third trimester of pregnancy (49%), and with family income between 1 and 2 minimum wages (41%). Workers who have employment are associated with higher levels of education and income, while domestic workers were associated with lower education and income. Economically active women who reported higher absenteeism had a proportionally greater distribution in higher-income workers. Conclusion: Related pregnancy symptoms are factors that undoubtedly lead to absenteeism. However, this study raises novel and relevant information about the profile and behavior of women in labor activity, in the context of pregnancy, illustrating that the qualification directly influences the behavior of pregnant women. Thus, attention to the profile of these women during the service may be important to improve the effectiveness of prenatal care of pregnant patients and workers. Keywords | pregnancy; work; absenteeism. Contexto: A inclusao da mulher no mercado de trabalho e fato, entretanto, aspectos fisiologicos relacionados ao genero ainda sao vistos pelos empregadores como um aspecto negativo, dentre eles, a gravidez. Nesse sentido, pouco se sabe sobre fatores relacionados a gestacao como causa de absentismo e se essas condicoes realmente constituem um fator que reduz a produtividade de uma mulher trabalhadora