title: Identification of confounders in the association between self-reported diseases and symptoms and self-rated health in a group of factory workers.
abstract: Self-related health is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality, and much of its effect is influenced by the presence of chronic diseases and/or symptoms. The current study aimed to identify confounders in the association between reported chronic diseases and/or symptoms and self-rated health among workers at a metallurgical factory in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The study design was cross-sectional, with a probabilistic sample of 482 workers. The information was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. Hierarchical multiple logistic regression models were adjusted. The response rate was 98.6% (n = 475), with 84.8% men, mostly employed on the factory floor (79.4%). Back pain was the most common complaint. The association between chronic diseases and self-rated health showed an odds ratio (OR) of 7.3 (95%CI: 3.7;14.5). After statistical modeling, psychosocial (-25.59%), socioeconomic (-9.29%), and occupational variables (10.54%) were identified as confounders between the outcome and chronic diseases and/or symptoms. The way diseases and/or symptoms act on self-rated health among workers transcends physical aspects.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Rua Uruguai 458, Itajaí, Brazil. doroaph@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Doroteia Aparecida
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Höfelmann
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Blank
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors