Desigualdades ocupacionais e acidentes de trabalho no Brasil: evidências e análise comparativa de dois inquéritos nacionais de saúde, 2013–2019

Abstract

Workplace accidents constitute a public health problem, as they have wide ranging repercussions and affect a significant portion of the productive sector population. They are intricately associated with socioeconomic factors, economic activities, occupational classes, and biopsychosocial aspects. Although some accidents can be prevented and avoided, they cause productivity losses, injuries, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years. The objective of this study was to analyze the variation in the prevalence of typical workplace accidents (TPAs) in Brazil between 2013 and 2019, identifying associated factors based on population survey data. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the National Health Survey (PNS) from 2013 to 2019. Participants were individuals over 18 years of age, employed during the reference week of the surveys, and who had suffered work-related accidents in the last twelve months. Logistic regression analysis was performed to verify possible associations between the independent variables and work-related accidents. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained. There was a 15% reduction in the chance of a work-related accident occurring from 2013 to 2019 (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.98). The following were significantly associated with the outcome: being male (OR: 1.22 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.48), being of Black race (OR: 1.52 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.98), having studied up to complete elementary school (OR: 1.58 95% CI: 1.09 to 2.27), falling into the 2nd income quintile (OR: 1.37 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.80), and being in the occupational class of Rural Workers (OR: 3.99 95% CI: 2.58 to 6.19). From the 2013 National Health Survey (PNS) to the 2019 survey, the chance of exposure to industrial and mineral dust increased (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.26 to 1.54), but there was a decrease in exposure to prolonged solar radiation (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.73-0.85) and noise (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.72). The data obtained contribute to the development, improvement, and evaluation of public policies on occupational hazards, aiming to mitigate health inequalities.