Saf Health Work.  2020 Jun;11(2):159-164. 10.1016/j.shaw.2019.12.010.

s Educational Level Linked to Unable to Work Due to Ill-health?

• Jung J
• Choi J
• Myong JP
• Kim HR
• Kang MY

• KMID: 2504287
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2019.12.010

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to examine the association between educational level and unable to work due to ill-health (UWdIH) among 30- to 79-year-old South Koreans.
Methods
A cross-sectional nationwide survey of the 2010e2016 Korea National Health and Nutritional Evaluation Surveywas used for analyses. A total of 29,930 participants aged
30 and<80 years, who do not have any disability in their daily life because of health problems, were included. Educational level and reason for nonworking are self-reported with multiple choices. Multivariate logistic regressionwas used to examine an association between education level and UWdIH by setting those who graduated college as their final education (n ¼ 6,997) as a baseline while controlling for potential confounding factors.
Results
In the age-stratified result, the ratio of UWdIH was increased as age increases in 3 educational groups (p < .0001). Therewas a tendency that low-level educated [International Standard Classification of Education (0-2)] participants showed higher ratio of UWdIH than high-level educated [International Standard Classification of Education (5)] participants in both sexes (odds ratio: 2.54, 95% confidence interval: 2.12-3.05).
Conclusion
There is a clear link between educational level and UWdIH; the less the educated, the more likely to be UWdIH. Policy priority should be given to plans that can help this vulnerable social group to work and enjoy healthy lives.

Keyword

Disability; Education; Health inequalities; Workplace