Working, safety and health conditions in the economically active and employed population in urban areas of Peru

Objetivos: La presente investigación tiene como objetivo conocer las condiciones de trabajo, seguridad y sa-lud en el trabajo de la población urbana económicamente activa ocupada del Perú. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal basado en una muestra probabilística de áreas y multietápica en la que partici-paron 3122 personas mayores de 14 años distribuidas en todo el país. Resultados: La mayoría fueron hombres (53,6%) entre 30 y 59 años (50%). En cuanto a las condiciones de trabajo, la mayoría labora más de 48 horas semanales (39,8%) y de lunes a sábado (44,7%). Respecto a las condiciones de seguridad, higiene, ergonómicas y psicosociales, los resultados mostraron una menor exposición de riesgo. Sobre las condiciones de salud, la mayoría refiere que no se identifican ni se evalúan los riesgos laborales en su puesto de trabajo (35,9%); que no tienen servicios de salud ocupacional (40,7%) ni un delegado o un comité de seguridad y salud (39,4%); y que no se le realizan evaluaciones médico ocupacionales (39,3%). Conclusiones: La población económica-mente activa urbana ocupada del Perú se expone con más frecuencia al ruido, la radiación solar, las posturas incómodas y los movimientos repetitivos; trabaja rápido con poco control y esconde sus emociones; además, en los lugares de trabajo no se gestiona la salud ocupacional. Estas condiciones pueden afectar la salud de los trabajadores y la calidad del trabajoObjetives: The present study aims to know the work, safety and health conditions at the jobs of the economically active urban population in Peru. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on a probabilistic sample of multistage areas in which 3122 people over 14 years of age distributed nationwide partici pated. Results: The majority were men (53.6%) between 30 and 59 years (50%). As for working conditions, most people work more than 48 hours per week (39.8%), and Monday through Saturday (44.7%). Regarding the safety, hygiene, ergonomic and psychosocial conditions, the results showed a lower risk exposure. Regarding health conditions, the majority report that the identification and evaluation of occupational hazards is not carried out in their workplace (35.9%), they do not have occupational health services (40.7%) or a delegate or a Health and sa fety committee (39.4%) and no occupational medical evaluations (39.3%). Conclusions: The economically active urban population of Peru is more frequently exposed to noise, solar radiation, awkward postures and repetitive movements, work at a fast pace with little control and hide their emotions; In addition, occupational health is not managed adequately in workplaces. These conditions may affect the health of workers and the quality of work

Informal Employment, Working Conditions, and Self-Perceived Health in 3098 Peruvian Urban Workers

Peru has one of the highest informal employment rates in Latin America (73%). Previous studies have shown a higher prevalence of poor self-perceived health (P-SPH) in informal than in formal workers. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of working conditions in the association between informality and SPH in an urban working population in Peru. We conducted a cross-sectional study based on 3098 workers participating in the working conditions survey of Peru 2017. The prevalence of P-SPH and exposure to poor working conditions were calculated separately for formal and informal employment and were stratified by sex. Poisson regression models were used to assess the association between P-SPH and informal employment, with crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) for working conditions. Informal employment affected 76% of women and 66% of men. Informal workers reported higher exposition to poor working conditions than formal workers and reported worse SPH. Informal workers had a higher risk of P-SPH than formal workers: PR 1.38 [95% CI: 1.16–1.64] in women and PR 1.27 [95% CI: 1.08–1.49] in men. Adjustment by working conditions weakened the association in both sexes. In women, this association was only partially explained by worse working conditions; PR 1.23 [95% CI: 1.04–1.46]. Although some of the negative effect of informal employment on workers´ health can be explained by the characteristics of informality per se, such as poverty, a substantial part of this effect can be explained by poor working conditions

Informal employment, working conditions, and self-perceived health in 3098 peruvian urban workers

Peru has one of the highest informal employment rates in Latin America (73%). Previous studies have shown a higher prevalence of poor self-perceived health (P-SPH) in informal than in formal workers. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of working conditions in the association between informality and SPH in an urban working population in Peru. We conducted a cross-sectional study based on 3098 workers participating in the working conditions survey of Peru 2017. The prevalence of P-SPH and exposure to poor working conditions were calculated separately for formal and informal employment and were stratified by sex. Poisson regression models were used to assess the association between P-SPH and informal employment, with crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) for working conditions. Informal employment affected 76% of women and 66% of men. Informal workers reported higher exposition to poor working conditions than formal workers and reported worse SPH. Informal workers had a higher risk of P-SPH than formal workers: PR 1.38 [95% CI: 1.16-1.64] in women and PR 1.27 [95% CI: 1.08-1.49] in men. Adjustment by working conditions weakened the association in both sexes. In women, this association was only partially explained by worse working conditions; PR 1.23 [95% CI: 1.04-1.46]. Although some of the negative effect of informal employment on workers´ health can be explained by the characteristics of informality per se, such as poverty, a substantial part of this effect can be explained by poor working conditions