Síntomas de depresión y factores relacionados en trabajadores con empleos de subsistencia en Medellín, Colombia

Introduction

Although informal employment is increasingly prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean, detailed evidence regarding people's perception of their mental health and how it is related to their working and environmental conditions is still lacking. The objective was to determine the sociodemographic, work-related, environmental and health conditions that explain depressive symptoms in workers with subsistence jobs in the centre of Medellín, Colombia in 2016.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with analytical intent, and primary source of information, taken through a survey to a census of 686 workers, after obtaining informed consent. We included people aged >18 who had been in their job for ≥5 years and were informed about the study, and selection and information biases were controlled for. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

The workers were aged 50 and mainly male (56.7%). They worked 10 hours/day, six days/week, with >20 years in their trade. Air pollution and noise affected their health, 15.5% had moderate/severe depressive symptoms, and they considered their work an emotional support. Not having a work permit, being exposed to chemical substances and seeing their health affected by noise pollution were associated with a higher prevalence of these symptoms. The majority of the symptoms were associated with: being exposed to chemicals (APR = 1.58; 95%CI, 1.04-2.11); becoming ill from the noise (PR = 2.20; 95%CI, 1.38-3.50); and having to shout to communicate (APR = 1.74; 95%CI, 1.01-3.00).

Conclusions

The depressive symptoms in these workers could be reversed with joint actions of the State and the workers, and they should be considered when formulating public policies aimed at improving their living and working conditions.