Working conditions and referred morbidity in military police officers, Recife-PE, Brazil

Abstract

The aim was to analyse the working conditions and referred morbidity of military police officers in the city of Recife (Northeastern Brazil). This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study in which 288 officers in the Policing Command of the state capital (Recife) participated. Sociodemographic, working conditions and referred morbidity data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire (Job Content Questionnaire). The sociodemographic profile showed that most were 39 years of age or older, were of mixed ethnicity or had black skin color (71.3%), were married (77.3%), had two or more children (63.7%), had attended school up to high school level (64.9%), and were in the C1 or C2 economic level (61.8%). Most identified their work as presenting low control (56.4%), high physical demand (53.9%) and low social support (59.8%). According to 27.8% of the officers, the work was highly demanding. For these officers, the risks of psychological stress and diseases were greater, and they believe that changes are required in the work organization. The higher number of years of service (OR = 2.99) and the absence of weekly days off (OR = 0.47) proved to be the most important determinants of the referred morbidity. It is suggested that strategies promoting greater social integration and cooperation between hierarchically superior and subordinate levels should be used, and the excessive workload should be reduced.