title: [Documents make a difference: the case of Brazilian domestic workers in Massachusetts, USA].
abstract: Brazilian immigrants in the United States experience various social, labor, and health challenges. This study aimed to analyze the profile of female Brazilian domestic workers in Massachusetts, USA, through a description of their working conditions and self-rated health. This was a cross-sectional study of 198 domestic workers in Massachusetts, recruited with "snowball" sampling. The instrument addressed participants' demographic characteristics, work conditions, and self-rated health. Data were analyzed with SPSS 21.0. Among the interviewees, 95.5% were women, 62.1% were 30 to 49 years of age, and 55.6% were undocumented. Documented and undocumented participants showed statistically significant differences in demographics, work conditions, and health. Irregular immigrant status appears to have a negative impact on domestic workers' living and health conditions.
authors.affiliation: College of Public and Community Service, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, U.S.A.
authors.forename: C Eduardo
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Araçatuba, Brasil.
authors.forename: Gabriella Barreto
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brasil.
authors.forename: Pedro Luiz de
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.affiliation: Brazilian Immigrant Center, Allston, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Maria Natalicia
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Tracy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006796:Household Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000069756:Undocumented Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014931:Women, Working / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult