O trabalho como determinante de morbidade comum em uma indústria de celulose e papel.

Abstract

Objective: To identify associations of common diseases and work accidents to each department, describing the work loads and doing a wide control of the confounding factors. Methodology: We have studied all workers from a pulp and paper industry, through a cross-sectional design, interviewing them in their workplace (n=638) using a standardized questionnaire. We have characterized the perception of the workers about their occupational exposures and health problems. For the logistic regression, we have selected thirty morbidities that had shown significant associations or high prevalences in the descriptive analysis, establishing a profile for each department. Results: The industrial area had excess of auditive and respiratory problems as well as accidents. These morbidities were probably related to high prevalences of noise, dust, sudden changes of temperature, chemical exposures, besides excessive effort and high risk situations. Moreover, the management group showed an excess of eye problems, backache, irritation and nervousness that seems to be related to lack of autonomy and creativeness at work, ergonomic problems and strained eyesight. Conclusion: The study confirmed not only the high prevalences of common diseases, but also their relation to the specific features of the work process indicated by each department category.