Fatores associados ao comprometimento da capacidade para o trabalho em agentes comunitários de saúde

Abstract

Introduction: the ability to work is a dynamic process influenced by factors related to the worker’s health and work environment. This context brings concerns to the maintenance of the work ability of Community Health Agents, as they are essential workers for Primary Health Care, but who are often subjected to inadequate working conditions. Objective: Analyze the association of predictors of work ability of community health agents. Methods: This is a cross sectional, quantitative, and analytical study carried out with Community Health Agents working in the 135 units of the Family Health Strategy in the city of Montes Claros-MG, between August and October 2018, selected by sampling with estimated participation followed of contingent statistical power. Data collection included sociodemographic, labor, and clinical characteristics. Work Ability was assessed using the Work Ability Index Questionnaire. The other variables were evaluated through structured and specific questionnaires, according to the characteristic. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis, in addition to Pearson’s chi-square test to verify the association between the outcome variable and the independent variables. Subsequently, for the variables that presented a significant value, a hierarchical multiple analysis of Poisson Regression was applied. Results: The study included 675 Community Health Agents, predominantly female, aged up to 37 years, non-white, family income greater than 1 minimum wage, who studied up to high school and had a maximum of 5 years of experience. The prevalence of inadequate work ability was 25.8%. In the multiple analysis, an association was observed between inadequate work ability and the variables: length of service greater than 5 years (PR= 1.64 95%CI -1.24 - 2.18), perception of poor health status (PR= 2.10 95%CI 1.56 - 2.83), depressive symptoms (PR=1.98 95%CI 1.54 - 2.55) and voice disorders (PR=1.85 95%CI 1.26 - 2.73). Conclusion: There was a significant prevalence of inadequate work ability among the investigated population, denoting the importance of preventive and corrective actions to maintain work ability and promote healthy and functional aging of these professionals