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Policies to reduce influenza in the workplace: Impact assessments using an agent-based model

Kumar, S and Grefenstette, JJ and Galloway, D and Albert, SM and Burke, DS (2013) Policies to reduce influenza in the workplace: Impact assessments using an agent-based model. American Journal of Public Health, 103 (8). 1406 - 1411. ISSN 0090-0036

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Abstract

Objectives. We examined the impact of access to paid sick days (PSDs) and stay-at-home behavior on the influenza attack rate in workplaces. Methods. We used an agent-based model of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, with PSD data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, standard influenza epidemic parameters, and the probability of staying home when ill. We compared the influenza attack rate among employees resulting from workplace transmission, focusing on the effects of presenteeism (going to work when ill). Results. In a simulated influenza epidemic (R0 = 1.4), the attack rate among employees owing to workplace transmission was 11.54%. A large proportion (72.00%) of this attack rate resulted from exposure to employees engaging in presenteeism. Universal PSDs reduced workplace infections by 5.86%. Providing 1 or 2 "flu days"-allowing employees with influenza to stay home-reduced workplace infections by 25.33% and 39.22%, respectively. Conclusions. PSDs reduce influenza transmission owing to presenteeism and, hence, the burden of influenza illness in workplaces. © 2013 American Journal of Public Health.

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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Kumar, Ssupriya@pitt.eduSUPRIYA0000-0001-8373-105X
Grefenstette, JJgref@pitt.eduGREF
Galloway, Dddg5@pitt.eduDDG5
Albert, SMsmalbert@pitt.eduSMALBERT0000-0001-6786-9956
Burke, DSdonburke@pitt.eduDONBURKE
Centers: Other Centers, Institutes, Offices, or Units > Center for Vaccine Research
Other Centers, Institutes, Offices, or Units > Public Health Dynamics Laboratory
Date: 1 August 2013
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: American Journal of Public Health
Volume: 103
Number: 8
Page Range: 1406 - 1411
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301269
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
School of Public Health > Epidemiology
Refereed: Yes
ISSN: 0090-0036
Date Deposited: 07 May 2015 19:21
Last Modified: 13 Jun 2021 00:55
URI: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/id/eprint/24444

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