Prevalence and factors associated with inadequate work ability among community health workers in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais state, Brazil: a cross-sectional study, 2018.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and analyze factors associated with inadequate work ability among community health workers (CHWs).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with CHWs, from July to October 2018, in Montes Claros, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil; work ability, sociodemographic, occupational, and clinical factors were investigated; prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using Poisson regression.

Results: Of the 675 CHWs, 25.8% (95%CI 22.7;29.2) showed inadequate work ability; length of service greater than five years (PR = 1.64; 95%CI 1.24;2.18), 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) were associated with the event.

Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of inadequate work ability, associated with occupational and clinical factors.

Main results: There was a high prevalence of inadequate work ability among community health workers (CHWs), associated with occupational and clinical factors.

Implications for services: This study can contribute to the planning of preventive actions and the promotion of the work ability of CHWs, with repercussions on the quality of service provided by these professionals.

Perspectives: Longitudinal studies are strongly recommended in order to establish cause-and-effect relationships between the variables investigated.