Association between lifestyle behavior and health-related productivity loss among Korean employees

Objectives To investigate factors associated with individual lifestyle influencing productivity reduction. Methods Data were collected using a web-based questionnaire from January 6, 2020, to February 18, 2020. The study included 3890 wage workers across South Korea. Information on drinking, smoking, physical activity, and sleep were collected. This study measured health-related productivity loss (HRPL), using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health version. Results Only non-optimal sleep time significantly associated with higher HRPL after adjusting for age, gender, education level, marital status, employment status, income level, weekly working hours, and occupation. This result was most derived from presenteeism than absenteeism. If the sleep disorder was diagnosed by a physician, the HRPL was even greater. Conclusions This study suggested that sleep is significantly associated with HRPL, particularly in men and manual workers.