Association of Women’s Health Literacy and Work Productivity among Japanese Workers: A Web-based, Nationwide Survey

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the relationship between health literacy (HL), women’s health, and work productivity (i.e., absenteeism or presenteeism) among female workers in Japan. METHODS: In February 2018, a web-based, nationwide survey was conducted among registered survey company monitors. The questionnaire included women’s HL, absenteeism, presenteeism, health behaviors for menstrual abnormalities and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and demographic information. Overall, 2,596 monitors were randomly invited, and the survey included the first 2,000 respondents (average age = 35.8 years, SD = 8.1). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to compare adjusted work productivity between two groups: the low-HL group and the high-HL group. The results were adjusted for age, education, employment status, number of children, and the presence of underlying gynecological diseases. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine any differences in health behaviors for menstrual abnormalities or PMS between the two groups. The results were adjusted for age, education level, number of children, and employment status. RESULTS: The ANCOVA showed that the high-HL group had significantly less presenteeism and better performance when experiencing PMS (p < 0.001 and p < 0.013, respectively) compared to the low-HL group after adjusting for covariates. However, the results showed no significant differences in absenteeism between the two groups. Logistic regression showed that the high-HL group had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) than the low-HL group in terms of health behaviors for menstrual abnormalities or PMS (OR 2.82 and 1.86, respectively) after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Women’s HL may contribute to decreased presenteeism and better health behaviors regarding the use of medicine or medical services.