Notification of work-related COVID-19: a descriptive study of sociodemographic and occupational profile, Brazil, 2020 and 2021

Abstract

Objective:

to describe the characteristics of work-related COVID-19 cases reported in Brazil between 2020 and 2021.

Methods:

descriptive study using secondary data collected from the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Frequency was calculated according to sociodemographic, occupational and epidemiological variables.

Results:

in the years 2020 and 2021, a total of 36,110 and 34,508 work-related COVID-19 cases were reported, respectively. Considering both years, there was a higher frequency of notifications for female individuals (65.1%), black and mixed-race (42.1%), from the age group 30 to 39 years (32.8%). The Northeast region accounted for 28.4% of the reported cases. Work Accident Report (CAT) was issued in 13.5% of the reported cases, with a high percentage of missing information for this variable (42.6%). Middle-level technicians (31.0%) and professionals in sciences and the arts (23.7%) accounted for most notifications. Cure was the most prevalent outcome in both years (2020: 72.0%; 2021: 68.0%).

Conclusion:

the results point to a predominant profile of cases among women, black and mixed-race individuals, and those aged between 30 and 39 years. The low completeness of notifications is noteworthy.

Keywords:
COVID-19; occupational health; health information systems; occupations; epidemiology, descriptive