Presenteeism in Nurse Anesthetists: Status and Demographic Correlates from Five Tertiary Hospitals in China
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Presenteeism or working while ill poses risks to clinicians and patients, but remains underexplored among Chinese nurse anesthetists. This cross-sectional, quantitative, correlational study assessed the status and correlates of presenteeism among nurse anesthetists across five tertiary university-affiliated hospitals in Henan Province, China. Using stratified random sampling by hospital, 230 eligible participants completed an online survey comprising the 11-item Nurse Presenteeism Questionnaire (NPQ; 0–3 scale) and demographic/work variables. Presenteeism was high overall (NPQ mean = 2.04, SD = 0.58; equivalent to attending work 2 to 5 times while ill in the past six months). The highest means were whole-body fatigue/discomfort (2.18), gastrointestinal symptoms (2.16), and chest distress/shortness of breath/palpitations (2.13). Group comparisons showed significant associations between presenteeism and age (χ²=19.80, df=3, p<.001; Cramér’s V=0.29), professional level (χ²=17.20, df=4, p=.002; V=0.27), and employment contract type (χ²=12.60, df=2, p=.002; V=0.23), while gender, education, marital status, position, tenure, night-shift frequency, paid sick leave, training, occupational-injury support, and income satisfaction were not significantly related (all p>.05). Findings indicate a common, symptom-spanning pattern of presenteeism in this workforce, with higher levels observed among older, more senior, and non-permanently contracted nurses. To mitigate harmful presenteeism and enhance patient safety, we propose a Theory of Planned Behavior; an informed program targeting attitudes (risk awareness, perceived benefits/costs), subjective norms (managerial and peer expectations), and perceived/actual control (non-penalized sick-leave access, staffing buffers, ergonomic/health supports). Given the cross-sectional, self-report design, all associations should be interpreted as noncausal and potentially influenced by common-method and recall biases.
DOI: 10.14419/vm464215
Authors: Ruxin Jiang, Toni-An B. Lachica, Sheilla M. Trajera, Gregory S. Ching
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416228287
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