Capacidade para o trabalho e qualidade de vida em trabalhadores residentes de área rural no Vale do Jequitinhonha, MG.

Abstract

In recent years there has been increasing interest of researchers on quality of life (QOL) and work ability (WA) for the welfare of the human being as man and hardworking, but little is known about factors in this rural population. This study aimed to analyze the WA and QOL in 242 workers, that came of 18 years old, and living in rural area in the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected through the use of two questionnaires, the Index of Work Ability and Assessment of Quality of Life Abbreviated. The results showed a significant association between WA and QOL. Considering the four domains studied the quality of life within the physical domain was statistically greater than the psychological, social relationships and environment. Only spheres diseases diagnosed by a physician and physical and mental demands statistical significance. Among QOL domains, only the physical and psychological domains had significantly lower mean scores for women, showing that women have a lower physical and psychological quality when compared to men. Verified the existence of: negative correlation (r = - 0.198) and significant (p-value = 0.003) with the WAI and age, negative correlation (r = - 0.282) and significant (p-value = 0.000) with WAI and working time in main job and positive correlation (r = 0.200) and significant (p-value = 0.002) between the WAI and study years. It was found that there is a linear correlation between WAI and QOL, in which the higher the score of quality of life is the highest value found for the rate of capacity for work. For statistical modeling of the ratio between WAI and selected variables in the univariate analysis (p <0.25), we used regression analysis via Almost likelihood function with constant variance and identity link function. After applying the Backward algorithm, the variables "time working on the main occupation" and the "physical", "psychological" and "environment" were significant in explaining the WAI. The results of this study showed that there was correlation between the WA and the socioeconomic, demographic and occupational workers, as well as the existence of correspondence between WAI and QOL. However, it reinforces the need for specific preventive guidelines for improving aspects of the domains of quality of life and ability to work as the interaction of these factors enhances the effects on workers' health.