Work and health in Latin America: results from the working conditions surveys of Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Central America and Uruguay

Occup Environ Med. 2017 Jun;74(6):432-439. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2016-103899. Epub 2017 Jan 16.

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Central America / epidemiology
  • Chile / epidemiology
  • Colombia / epidemiology
  • Developing Countries
  • Female
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Latin America / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Occupational Exposure / statistics & numerical data
  • Occupational Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Prevalence
  • Uruguay / epidemiology
  • Workplace / psychology
  • Young Adult