Factors associated with paid work after the dam failure: Brumadinho Health Project

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the factors associated with paid work, after the dam failure, based on geographic strata, among men and women residing in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais. Methods: Baseline data from participants of the Brumadinho Health Project, aged 18 years or older, obtained through a questionnaire, between July and November 2021 (n=2,783) were used. The dependent variable was paid work after the dam failure and the explanatory variables were geographic stratum, age, education, race/skin color, self-perception of health and employment relationship before the event. The adjusted analysis was estimated by logistic regression. All analyses were performed separately for men and women. Results: Paid work after the dam failure was reported by 58.3% (95%CI 55.0–61.6) of the participants, with the highest prevalence among men (71.4%; 95%CI 67.1–75.3) compared to women (48.6%; 95%CI 44.3–52.8) (p<0.001). After adjustments, the results showed that the population who was directly exposed to the disaster was less likely to have a paid work after it, both for women (OR=0.68; 95%CI 0.48–0.95) and for men (OR=0.48; 95%CI 0.30–0.78). In addition, women directly exposed to the disaster and who reported being self-employed before it were less likely to have a paid work, compared to women who reported being employed with or without a formal contract. Conclusion: Participation in the labor market is determined by several factors. Thus, intersectoral policies are necessary the population’s demands of life and work are met in disaster situations.