ILLNESS AND ABSENTEEISM OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TEACHERS IN THE MUNICIPAL NETWORK OF URUGUAIANA-RS

Abstract

 This study aimed to identify the main causes of leave of absence among municipal school teachers in Uruguaiana/RS and to verify the prevalence of mental disorders among these absences. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study based on document analysis of 1,326 medical certificates issued between August 2021 and August 2023. The data were collected from the Municipal Department of Administration and refer exclusively to Early Childhood Education teachers. The absences were organized into nine clinical categories. Most occurred for up to five days, with the main reasons being family caregiving and viral illnesses. However, absences due to mental disorders showed a higher frequency of leaves exceeding 15 days. One of the challenges faced was the absence of ICD codes in long-term certificates, as they are processed via the INSS (National Social Security Institute). The results reinforce the literature on the impact of teacher illness in early childhood education and the need for local public policies aimed at the health of education workers. This study provides evidence for preventive actions and improvements in institutional records, contributing to professional appreciation and teaching quality.