Sickness-absenteeism, job demand-control model, and social support: a case-control study nested in a cohort of hospital workers, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

The aim of the study was to identify the Job Demand-Control (JDC) and social support contribution for sickness-absenteeism duration of Health Treatment Licences (HTL) in hospital workers (civil servants) of the Santa Catarina State Department of Health of (SES/SC), Brazil. These health workers have the second highest HTL among civil servants in the state, especially those working in hospitals. This is a case-control study nested in a cohort of hospital workers followed up between 07/01/2008 and 06/30/2009.