Informal jobs: another occupational hazard for women's mental health?

OBJECTIVES

The hypothesis that informal jobs, which imply absence of formal labour contracts, instability and the absence of fringe benefits, are positively associated with psychiatric symptoms was evaluated in a poor urban area of Brazil.

METHODS

With data from a cross-sectional study, the association between informal jobs and high number of psychological symptoms was estimated. The study population was composed of 327 women randomly selected from a community in the city of Salvador, Brazil. Women who reported having a job without a formal contract were classified as informal workers. Psychological symptoms were collected through a validated questionnaire, the QMPA.

RESULTS

A positive association between informal work and a high number of psychological symptoms was found (crude prevalence ratio = 1.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-2.85). More than 4 hours of housework a day and being a family head were confounders, although adjustment for these variables did not significantly change the results (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.26-3.09).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings are suggestive that informal work may be a risk for mental symptoms. Reinforcement of universal labour rights coverage and improvement in housework sharing are recommended.