Self-reported morbidities and lifestyles of agricultural and non-agricultural workers in Brazil: a comparative analysis between 2013 and 2019

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva Vol. 28; no. 7; p. 1971
• Main Authors: Nogueira, Fernanda de Albuquerque Melo, Damacena, Giseli Nogueira, Souza Júnior, Paulo Roberto Borges de, Szcwarcwald, Celia Landmann
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil 01-07-2023
• Subjects: Brazil - epidemiology; Humans; Life Style; Noncommunicable Diseases; Prevalence; Self Report; Brazil
• ISSN: 1678-4561
• DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232023287.15922022

Differences in the profiles of illness and lifestyles among agricultural and non-agricultural workers were investigated using data from the National Health Survey (Brazilian acronym PNS) of 2013 and 2019. The prevalence and 95% CIs were calculated for the following variables: self-reported morbidities, poor self-rated health, limitations of usual activities, number of NCD, major or minor depression and lifestyles. The Poisson model was used to calculate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios, by gender and age. The sample weights and the conglomerate effect in 2013 and 2019 were considered in the analyses. A total of 33,215 non-agricultural workers and 3,797 agricultural workers were evaluated in 2013, whereas 47,849 non-agricultural workers and 4,751 agricultural workers were assessed in 2019. Agricultural workers are more susceptible to poor self-rated health, chronic back problems, excessive physical activity at work, smoking and lower consumption of vegetables and fruit. On the other hand, non-agricultural workers revealed a higher prevalence of asthma/bronchitis, depression and diabetes mellitus and greater consumption of candies and soft drinks. Differentiated NCD prevention and treatment actions for both groups of workers need to be prioritized.