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Work in the prison system: a study of correctional officers in Greater Metropolitan Salvador, Brazil

A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify possible associations between working conditions and health among correctional officers in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The study used a stratified proportional random sample of 311 individuals who answered a non-identifiable self-applied questionnaire. The following results were obtained by logistic regression: (a) psychologically inadequate workplace, insufficient basic work conditions, no leisure time, lack of sports practice, ³ nine years working in the prison system, excessive work hours, ³ 48 hours work/week, and inadequate organizational conditions at work were associated with minor psychological disorders; (b) lack of specific training, female gender, ³ 48 hours work/week, psychologically inadequate workplace, no leisure time, and lack of sports practice were associated with persistent stress, (c) age ³ 45 years, ³ nine years working in the prison system, excessive work hours, lack of sports practice, inadequate basic and organizational work conditions, and minor psychological disorders were associated with health complaints.

Prisons; Occupational Health; Mental Health; Cross-Sectional Studies; Psychopathology


Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480 , 21041-210 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil, Tel.:+55 21 2598-2511, Fax: +55 21 2598-2737 / +55 21 2598-2514 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: cadernos@ensp.fiocruz.br