Informal employment and poor self-perceived health in Latin America and the Caribbean: a gender-based comparison between countries and welfare states in a pooled analysis of 176,786 workers

Long working hours and self-rated health in the national Brazilian working population: gender and employment status differences, 2019

BACKGROUND

The regulation of working hours is governed by legal standards in formal employment. While the association between long working hours and various health outcomes has been extensively studied, there is limited evidence regarding Brazil. The objective of this study was to investigate the association among working hours, employment status, and self-rated health (SRH), taking into account differences between men and women in a national representative sample of the working population in Brazil.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of 33,713 workers in Brazil to assess self-rated health (SRH). We examined the associations between working hours and employment status, categorizing working hours as standard (40-44 h per week) or long (> 44 h per week), and employment status as formal or informal. Logistic regression models were employed, adjusting for sociodemographic, occupational characteristics, and health behaviors. Probabilities of negative SRH were calculated for men and women in different exposure profiles. Results were stratified by gender, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to the findings.

RESULTS

The prevalence of long working hours was higher among informal workers for both men and women. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) results revealed that informal employment (AORwomen = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.13-2.07 and AORmen = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.22-1.96) and long working hours (AORwomen = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.06-1.43 and AORmen = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.00-1.30) were independently associated with negative SRH. Significant interactions between long working hours and informal employment were observed. Among individuals with the same exposure profile, women who engaged in long working hours had a higher probability of reporting negative SRH compared to men.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study are in line with the literature, as differences between men and women in the likelihood of negative self-rated health were observed. The adverse health effects underscore the importance of implementing intersectoral actions to inform the revision of regulations concerning weekly working hours and the expansion of informal employment in low- and middle-income countries.

Association between informal employment and depressive symptoms in 11 urban cities in Latin America

Background

Mental health is an important contributor to the global burden of disease, and depression is the most prevalent mental disorder in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Informal jobs, often characterized by precarious working conditions, low wages, and limited employment benefits, are also highly prevalent in LAC and may be associated with poorer mental health. Our study tests the association between informal employment and major depressive symptoms in LAC cities.

Methods

We used individual-level data collected by the Development Bank of Latin America via their “Encuesta CAF” (ECAF) 2016, a cross-sectional household survey of 11 LAC cities (N = 5430). Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale with possible total score ranging from 0 to 30. Scores were dichotomized, with a score >‾ 16 indicating the presence of major depressive symptoms. Informal employment was defined based on self-reported lack of contribution to the social security system. We used generalized estimating equation (GEE) log-binomial models to estimate the association between informal employment and depressive symptoms overall and by gender. Models were adjusted for age, education, and household characteristics.

Results

Overall, individuals employed in informal jobs had a 27% higher prevalence of major depressive symptoms (Prevalence Ratio [PR]: 1.27; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.00, 1.62) compared to those in formal jobs. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among individuals with informal jobs was higher compared to those with formal jobs in both women (PR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.74) and men (PR: 1.22; 95% CI: 0.90, 1.65).

Conclusions

Informal employment in LAC was associated with a higher prevalence of major depressive symptoms. It is important to develop policies aiming at reducing informal jobs and increasing universal social protection for informal workers.

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Informal employment is associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in Latin America.

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Associations for both men and women were similar in direction and magnitude but only among women was the association statistically significant.

Informal Employment, Working Conditions, and Self-Perceived Health in 3098 Peruvian Urban Workers

Peru has one of the highest informal employment rates in Latin America (73%). Previous studies have shown a higher prevalence of poor self-perceived health (P-SPH) in informal than in formal workers. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of working conditions in the association between informality and SPH in an urban working population in Peru. We conducted a cross-sectional study based on 3098 workers participating in the working conditions survey of Peru 2017. The prevalence of P-SPH and exposure to poor working conditions were calculated separately for formal and informal employment and were stratified by sex. Poisson regression models were used to assess the association between P-SPH and informal employment, with crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) for working conditions. Informal employment affected 76% of women and 66% of men. Informal workers reported higher exposition to poor working conditions than formal workers and reported worse SPH. Informal workers had a higher risk of P-SPH than formal workers: PR 1.38 [95% CI: 1.16–1.64] in women and PR 1.27 [95% CI: 1.08–1.49] in men. Adjustment by working conditions weakened the association in both sexes. In women, this association was only partially explained by worse working conditions; PR 1.23 [95% CI: 1.04–1.46]. Although some of the negative effect of informal employment on workers´ health can be explained by the characteristics of informality per se, such as poverty, a substantial part of this effect can be explained by poor working conditions.

Effects of Cognitively Based Compassion Training in the outskirts: A mixed study

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the effects of Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT®) among people in situations of social vulnerability.

METHOD

a mixed, sequential and transformative study with the same QUAL→QUAN weight. Focus Groups were applied at the beginning (n=24) and three months (n=11) after CBCT®, to understand the participants' knowledge about emotions, (self)care and stress situations. Content analysis was performed in the WebQDA software. The participants (n=65) were randomized into control (n=31) and intervention (n=34) to assess self-compassion, perceived stress, and positive and negative affects at three time moments. The mixed factorial ANOVA analysis considered within-participants (time) and between-participants (place and group) factors.

RESULTS

mean age (37), female gender (88%), single (51%) and black-skinned people (77%). The following thematic categories emerged before the course: "Reducing others' suffering as a bridge to conscious self-care" and "Social vulnerability as a potentiator of low emotional literacy". Subsequently, self-compassion and awareness of the mental states for social activism. The quantitative analysis showed a significant increase in self-compassion within-participants (p=0.003); group factor (p<0.001); perceived stress reduction (p=0.013); negative affects group factor (p=0.005); and increase in positive affects (p<0.001) within-participants.

CONCLUSION

CBCT®️ exerted a positive effect on individual well-being and a positive impact on community engagement to promote social well-being in the outskirts. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-3w744z.) in April 2019.

Efectos del Entrenamiento de la Compasión Cognitiva en la población de los barrios periféricos: un estudio mixto

Resumen Objetivo: analizar los efectos del Entrenamiento en Compasión Cognitiva (CBCT®) en personas en situación de vulnerabilidad social. Método: estudio mixto del tipo transformativo secuencial con el mismo peso QUAL→QUAN. Grupos Focales aplicados al inicio (n=24) y tres meses (n=11) después del CBCT®, para comprender el conocimiento que tienen los participantes sobre emociones, (auto)cuidado y situaciones de estrés. El análisis de contenido utilizó el software WebQDA. Los participantes (n=65) fueron aleatorizados en el grupo control (n=31) y experimental (n=34) para evaluar la autocompasión, el estrés percibido y los afectos positivos y negativos en tres momentos. El ANOVA factorial mixto consideró factor de participantes (tiempo) y entre participantes (lugar y grupo). Resultados: edad promedio (37), sexo femenino (88%), solteras (51%) y negras (77%). Las categorías temáticas que surgieron antes del curso fueron: “Reducción del sufrimiento de los demás como puente para el autocuidado consciente” y “La vulnerabilidad social como potenciadora de la baja alfabetización emocional”. Luego la autocompasión y la conciencia de los estados mentales para el activismo social. El análisis cuantitativo mostró un aumento significativo en la autocompasión de los participantes (p=0,003); factor grupo (p< 0,001); reducción del estrés percibido (p=0,013); afectos negativos factor grupo (p= 0,005); y aumento de los afectos positivos (p< 001) de los participantes. Conclusión: El CBCT®️ tuvo un efecto positivo en el bienestar individual y tuvo un impacto positivo en la participación de la comunidad para promover el bienestar social en la población de los barrios periféricos. Registro Brasileño de Ensayos Clínicos (RBR-3w744z.) en abril de 2019.

Effects of Cognitively Based Compassion Training in the outskirts: A mixed study

Objective:

to analyze the effects of Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT®) among people in situations of social vulnerability.

Method:

a mixed, sequential and transformative study with the same QUAL→QUAN weight. Focus Groups were applied at the beginning (n=24) and three months (n=11) after CBCT®, to understand the participants’ knowledge about emotions, (self)care and stress situations. Content analysis was performed in the WebQDA software. The participants (n=65) were randomized into control (n=31) and intervention (n=34) to assess self-compassion, perceived stress, and positive and negative affects at three time moments. The mixed factorial ANOVA analysis considered within-participants (time) and between-participants (place and group) factors.

Results:

mean age (37), female gender (88%), single (51%) and black-skinned people (77%). The following thematic categories emerged before the course: “Reducing others’ suffering as a bridge to conscious self-care” and “Social vulnerability as a potentiator of low emotional literacy”. Subsequently, self-compassion and awareness of the mental states for social activism. The quantitative analysis showed a significant increase in self-compassion within-participants (p=0.003); group factor (p<0.001); perceived stress reduction (p=0.013); negative affects group factor (p=0.005); and increase in positive affects (p<0.001) within-participants.

Conclusion:

CBCT®️ exerted a positive effect on individual well-being and a positive impact on community engagement to promote social well-being in the outskirts. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-3w744z.) in April 2019.