Abstract
ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To examine factors associated with perception of work ability in a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 years and over.METHODS We used data from 8,903 participants of the baseline survey of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil). The dependent variable was self-rated work ability (good or very good versus fair, poor, or very poor). Independent variables included factors that operate at the beginning, middle, and current stage of life. Multivariate analysis was based on prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) estimated by Poisson regression.RESULTS Good work ability was reported by 49% of \\ participants (49.4% among men and 48.6% among women). Results of the multivariate analysis showed that, for both men and women, good work ability showed positive and statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) with good health up to 15 years of age (PR = 1.22 and 1.18 , respectively), educational level ≥ 8 years (PR = 1.19 and 1.21, respectively), and current good self-rated health (PR = 1.88 and 1.94, respectively). Negative associations were observed for current age (PR = 0.99 for each increase of one year among men and women), medical diagnosis of depression (PR = 0.70 for men and PR = 0.87 for women), and having one or more at least chronic diseases (PR = 0.88 for men and 0.91 for women). Only for men, positive associations for the age at which they started working (PR = 1.14 and 1.12 for 11–17 and ≥ 18 years, respectively) and living with a spouse (PR = 1.09) were found.CONCLUSIONS Work ability in older ages is built over the life course, particularly by the health conditions in childhood and adolescence, age at which men begin working, educational level, and health conditions in older ages. Policies aimed at increasing longevity in the labor market must take these factors into account.
Highlights
Aging of the workforce is a global phenomenon
Negative associations were observed for current age (PR = 0.99 for each increase of one year among men and women), medical diagnosis of depression (PR = 0.70 for men and prevalence ratios (PR) = 0.87 for women), and having one or more at least chronic diseases (PR = 0.88 for men and 0.91 for women)
Work ability in older ages is built over the life course, by the health conditions in childhood and adolescence, age at which men begin working, educational level, and health conditions in older ages
Summary
Aging of the workforce is a global phenomenon. World demographic estimates showed that there were seven persons of active age (20-64 years) for each individual aged 65 years and over in 2015; projections indicate that this ratio will fall to 3.5 in 20501. In addition to this, increased life expectancy means that retired persons use the pension system for a longer time. In Brazil, these changes have been occurring rapidly and they tend to increase. A measure adopted by different countries and under discussion in Brazil is the reformulation of social security policies, aiming at extending work life[1,2,3]. There is an increasing interest to know the determinants of staying in the work force in older ages
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