Work and health in Latin America: results from the working conditions surveys of Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Central America and Uruguay. Issue 6 (16th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Merino-Salazar, Pamela; Artazcoz, Lucía; Cornelio, Cecilia; Iñiguez, María José Itatí; Rojas, Marianela; Martínez-Iñigo, David; Vives, Alejandra; Funcasta, Lorena; Benavides, Fernando G
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 74:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 432
• Page End: 439
• Publication Date: 2017-01-16
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2016-103899
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To describe working and employment conditions, and health status between non-agricultural employees with a written contract from Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Central America and Uruguay. Methods: We compared data from the first working condition surveys (WCS) of Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Central America and Uruguay. For comparative purposes, we selected a subsample of 15 241 non-agricultural employees aged 18–64 years and working with a written contract. We calculated prevalences and 95% CIs for the selected variables on working and employment conditions, and health status, separated by sex. Results: Across all countries, at least 40% of women and 58% of men worked >40 hours a week. The most prevalent exposures were repetitive movements, followed by noise and manual handling, especially among men. Psychosocial exposures were very common among both sexes. Workers in Chile (33.4% of women and 16.6% of men) and Central America (24.3% of women and 19.1% of men) were more likely to report poor self-perceived health and were least likely to do so in Colombia (5.5% of women and 4.2% of men). The percentage of workers reporting occupational injuries was <10% across all countries. Conclusions: This study provides, for the first time, a broad picture of work and health in different Latin American countries, based on the national WCSs available. This allows for a better understanding of occupational health and could serve as a baseline for future research and surveillance of work and health in the Region. However, greater efforts are needed to improve WCSs comparability.