The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil): Factors Related to Smoking Cessation.

BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation is not an easy accomplishment. However, the benefits are several for those who do it, such as cardiovascular risk reduction 1 year after quitting smoking. This study aimed to verify the factors related to smoking cessation in civil servants of The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). METHODS: This study had a longitudinal design using data from a prospective cohort of civil servants (ELSA-Brasil). Our variable of interest was smoking cessation. The relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, job stress, health-related variables, legislation, and smoking cessation was analyzed by Cox proportional hazard models. The analyses were stratified by gender. Second-hand smoke exposure, age, education, excessive alcohol consumption, common mental disorder, and smoking control law were the variables considered in the final model. RESULTS: Information of 2020 women and 2429 men was analyzed. Individuals without second-hand smoke exposure, with up to 49 years of age, with higher education, without excessive alcohol consumption, without common mental disorders, and who initiated smoking in 1989 or after the smoking control law had a higher risk of stopping smoking. The risks magnitudes were higher for women. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reinforces the necessity of alcohol consumption regulation, the relevance of Public Health Policies, and the need for more smoking cessation measures focused on men, on people with mental disorders, alcoholism, and older adults. Also, our results did not show significant risks regarding the psychosocial working environment.

Gender, work-family conflict, and weight gain: four-year follow-up of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) / Gênero, conflito entre trabalho e família e ganho de peso: o seguimento de quatro anos do Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil) / Género, conflicto laboral-familiar y aumento de peso: 4 años de seguimiento en el Estudio Longitudinal de Salud del Adulto brasileño (ELSA-Brasil)

This study sought to analyze the effect of work-to-family conflict (demands from work that affect one's family/personal life), family-to-work conflict (demands from family/personal life that affect work), and lack of time for self-care and leisure due to professional and domestic demands on the incidence of weight gain and increase in waist circumference by gender in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Our study included 9,159 ELSA-Brasil participants (4,413 men and 4,746 women) who attended baseline (2008-2010) and the first follow-up visit (2012-2014). Weight gain and increase in waist circumference were defined as an annual increase ≥ 75th percentile, i.e., ≥ 1.21kg/year and ≥ 1.75cm/year, respectively for women; and ≥ 0.96kg/year and ≥ 1.41cm/year respectively for men. Associations were estimated by Poisson regression applying robust variance with the R software. Analyses were stratified by gender and adjusted for socioeconomic variables. Adjusted models showed a higher risk of weight gain among women who reported family-to-work conflict frequently and sometimes (relative risk - RR = 1.37 and RR = 1.15, respectively) and among those who reported frequent lack of time for self-care and leisure (RR = 1.13). Among men, time-based work-to-family conflict (RR = 1.17) and strain-based work-to-family conflict (RR = 1.24) were associated with weight gain. No associations were observed between work-family conflict domains and increase in waist circumference. These findings suggest that occupational and social health promotion programs are essential to help workers balance work and family life to reduce weight gain.

O objetivo foi analisar o efeito de conflitos entre o trabalho e a família (demandas do trabalho que interferem na vida familiar ou pessoal) e entre a família e o trabalho (demandas da vida que interferem no trabalho), além da falta de tempo para autocuidado e lazer em função de demandas profissionais e domésticas, na incidência de ganho de peso e aumento da circunferência abdominal, de acordo com gênero, no Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). O estudo presente incluiu 9.159 participantes do ELSA-Brasil (4.413 homens e 4.746 mulheres) que frequentaram a linha de base (2008-2010) e a primeira visita de seguimento (2012-2014). O ganho ponderal e o aumento de circunferência abdominal foram definidos enquanto ganho anual ≥ 75º percentil, i.é., ≥ 1,21kg/ano e ≥ 1,75cm/ano, respectivamente, em mulheres, e ≥ 0,96kg/ano e ≥ 1,41cm/ano, respectivamente, em homens. As associações foram estimadas pela regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, usando o software R. As análises foram estratificadas por gênero e ajustadas por variáveis socioeconômicas. Os modelos ajustados mostraram risco maior de ganho ponderal em mulheres que relatavam conflitos frequentes ou eventuais de família para o trabalho (risco relativo - RR = 1,37 e RR = 1,15, respectivamente), e naquelas que relatavam frequentemente falta de tempo para autocuidado e lazer (RR = 1,13). Nos homens, os conflitos de tempo do trabalho para a família (RR = 1,17) e os conflitos de tensão do trabalho para a família (RR = 1,24) mostraram associação com ganho ponderal. Não foram observadas associações nos domínios dos conflitos de trabalho para a família e o aumento de circunferência abdominal. Os achados sugerem a necessidade de programas de promoção ocupacional e de saúde social para ajudar homens e mulheres economicamente ativos a equilibrarem o trabalho e a vida familiar para reduzir o ganho de peso.

El objetivo fue analizar el efecto del trabajo en conflictos de familia (exigencias del trabajo que interfieren en la familia/vida personal), conflictos de familia en el trabajo (exigencias de la familia/vida personal que interfieren con el trabajo), y la falta de tiempo para el autocuidado y ocio, debido a exigencias profesionales y domésticas en la incidencia de aumento de peso y aumento de contorno de cintura por género en el Estudio Longitudinal de Salud del Adulto brasileño (ELSA-Brasil). Este estudio incluyó a 9.159 participantes del ELSA-Brasil (4.413 hombres y 4.746 mujeres) que formaban parte de la base de referencia (2008-2010) y de la primera visita de seguimiento (2012-2014). El aumento de peso y contorno de cintura se definió como un aumento anual ≥ 75º percentil, p.ej., ≥ 1,21kg/año y ≥ 1,75cm/año, respectivamente, en mujeres, y ≥ 0,96kg/año y ≥ 1,41cm/año, respectivamente, en hombres. Se estimaron las asociaciones por regresión de Poisson, aplicando variancia robusta, usando R software. Se estratificaron análisis por género y se ajustaron para variables socioeconómicas. Los modelos ajustados mostraron un riesgo mayor de aumento de peso entre mujeres que informaron de un conflicto de familia para trabajar frecuentemente y a veces (riesgo relativo - RR = 1,37 y RR = 1,15, respectivamente), y entre quienes informaron de falta de tiempo para el autocuidado y ocio frecuentemente (RR = 1,13). Entre hombres, el trabajo basado en el tiempo respecto a conflictos familiares (RR = 1,17), así como el trabajo basado en el esfuerzo respecto a la misma cuestión (RR = 1,24) estuvieron asociados al aumento de peso. No se observaron asociaciones entre los ámbitos trabajo-conflictos de familia y aumento de peso. Estos resultados sugieren la necesidad de programas sociales de promoción ocupacional y de salud para ayudar a hombres y mujeres a equilibrar la fuerza laboral en el trabajo y la vida familiar, con el fin de reducir el aumento de peso.

Job strain and unhealthy lifestyle: results from the baseline cohort study, Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

BACKGROUND: Unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking and sedentary behavior, are among the main modifiable risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases. The workplace is regarded as an important site of potential health risks where preventive strategies can be effective. We investigated independent associations among psychosocial job strain, leisure-time physical inactivity, and smoking in public servants in the largest Brazilian adult cohort. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)-a multicenter prospective cohort study of civil servants. Our analytical samples comprised 11,779 and 11,963 current workers for, respectively, analyses of job strain and leisure-time physical activity and analyses of job strain and smoking. Job strain was assessed using the Brazilian version of the Swedish Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire; physical activity was evaluated using a short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. We also examined smoking status and number of cigarettes smoked per day. The association reported in this paper was assessed by means of multinomial and logistic regression, stratified by sex. RESULTS: Among men, compared with low-strain activities (low demand and high control), job strain showed an association with physical inactivity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-1.64) or with the practice of physical activities of less than recommended duration (OR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1.15-1.82). Among women, greater likelihood of physical inactivity was identified among job-strain and passive-job groups (OR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.22-1.77 and OR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.20-1.67, respectively). Greater control at work was a protective factor for physical inactivity among both men and women. Social support at work was a protective factor for physical inactivity among women, as was smoking for both genders. We observed no association between demand or control dimensions and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Job strain, job control, and social support were associated with physical activity. Social support at work was protective of smoking. Our results are comparable to those found in more developed countries; they provide additional evidence of an association between an adverse psychosocial work environment and health-related behaviors.

Self-employed persons in Sweden - mortality differentials by industrial sector and enterprise legal form: a five-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated mortality differentials between self-employed persons in Sweden, considering industrial sector, enterprise characteristics and socio-demographic factors. METHODS: Data on 321,274 self-employed persons were obtained from population registers in Sweden. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare all-cause and cause-specific mortality rate ratios by industrial sector and enterprise legal form, adjusted for confounders. RESULTS: All-cause mortality was 10-32% higher in self-employed persons in Manufacturing and Mining, Trade and Communication, and Not Specified and Other sectors than in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing. Mortality from cardiovascular disease was 23% higher in Trade and Communication, and from neoplasms 17-51% higher in Manufacturing and Mining, Not Specified, and Other. Mortality from suicide was 45-60% lower in Personal and Cultural Services, and in Not Specified. Mortality was 8-16% higher in sole proprietorship than limited partnership. CONCLUSIONS: Further research of working conditions is warranted, considering industry and enterprise legal form.

Cross-cultural validity of the demand-control questionnaire: Swedish and Brazilian workers / Validade transcultural da escala demanda-controle: trabalhadores suecos e brasileiros

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cross-cultural validity of the Demand-Control Questionnaire, comparing the original Swedish questionnaire with the Brazilian version. METHODS We compared data from 362 Swedish and 399 Brazilian health workers. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were performed to test structural validity, using the robust weighted least squares mean and variance-adjusted (WLSMV) estimator. Construct validity, using hypotheses testing, was evaluated through the inspection of the mean score distribution of the scale dimensions according to sociodemographic and social support at work variables. RESULTS The confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses supported the instrument in three dimensions (for Swedish and Brazilians): psychological demands, skill discretion and decision authority. The best-fit model was achieved by including an error correlation between work fast and work intensely (psychological demands) and removing the item repetitive work (skill discretion). Hypotheses testing showed that workers with university degree had higher scores on skill discretion and decision authority and those with high levels of Social Support at Work had lower scores on psychological demands and higher scores on decision authority. CONCLUSIONS The results supported the equivalent dimensional structures across the two culturally different work contexts. Skill discretion and decision authority formed two distinct dimensions and the item repetitive work should be removed. .

OBJETIVO Avaliar a validade transcultural da escala demanda-controle, comparando o questionário original sueco com a versão brasileira. MÉTODOS Foram comparados os dados de trabalhadores de saúde, 362 suecos e 399 brasileiros. Foram utilizadas análise fatorial confirmatória e exploratória para avaliar a validade estrutural, usando o estimador robusto de mínimos quadrados ponderados ajustados para média e variância (WLSMV). A validade de construto via teste de hipóteses foi avaliada pela inspeção da distribuição dos escores médios das dimensões da escala segundo as características sociodemográficas e níveis de apoio social no trabalho. RESULTADOS A análise fatorial confirmatória e exploratória corroborou o instrumento em três dimensões (suecos e brasileiros): demandas psicológicas, uso de habilidades e autonomia para decisão. O modelo de melhor ajuste foi obtido após incluir uma correlação de resíduos entre os itens trabalho rápido e trabalho intenso (demandas psicológicas) e remover o item trabalho repetitivo (uso de habilidades). O teste de hipóteses mostrou que trabalhadores com nível universitário apresentaram maiores escores em uso de habilidades e autonomia para decisão e aqueles com grau elevado de apoio social no trabalho obtiveram escores menores em demandas psicológicas e maiores em autonomia para decisão. CONCLUSÕES Os resultados confirmaram a equivalência da estrutura dimensional em dois contextos laborais culturalmente diferentes. Uso de habilidades e autonomia para decisão formaram duas dimensões distintas e o item trabalho repetitivo deveria ser removido da escala. .