Monitoring Self-Perceived Occupational Health Inequities in Central America, 2011 and 2018.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To analyze changes in occupational health inequity between 2011 and 2018 among workers in Central America. <b>Methods.</b> Data were collected by face-to-face interviews at the workers' homes for the 2 Central America Working Conditions Surveys (n  = 12 024 in 2011 and n = 9030 in 2018). We estimated health inequity gaps by means of absolute and relative population attributable risks and the weighted Keppel index. We stratified all analyses by gender. <b>Results.</b> Between 2011 and 2018, the proportion of workers reporting poor self-perceived health decreased both in women (from 32% to 29%) and men (from 33% to 30%). However, the health inequity gaps remained wide in the 4 stratifiers. Measured by the Keppel index, health inequity gaps between countries increased from 22% to 39% in women and from 20% to 29% in men. <b>Conclusions.</b> While health improved between 2011 and 2018, health inequity gaps remained wide. Wider health inequity gaps were observed between countries than by gender, age, occupation, or education. <b>Public Health Implications.</b> This first benchmark of occupational health inequities in Central America could be useful when developing and evaluating the impact of public policies on work.