Table 1.

Characteristics of informants

	n	%
Sex
Women	25	62.5
Men	15	37.5
Last occupation
Blue collar	21	52.5
White collar	15	37.5
Self employed	4	10
Occupational activity
100%	31	77.5
75%	2	5
50%	4	10
25%	1	2.5
0%	2	5
Previous periods of sick leave for MSD
Never	18	45
Shorter periods	12	30
> 3 months	10	25
Length of MSD problems
< 5 years	3	7.5
5–9 years	4	10
10–14 years	5	12.5
15–19 years	5	12.5
> 20 years	14	35
Unable to specify	9	22.5