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. 2025 Jan 31;22(4):e20231143.
doi: 10.47626/1679-4435-2023-1143. eCollection 2024 Oct-Dec.

Factors related to the prevalence of pregnancy complications among subsistence workers in Medellín - Colombia

María Osley Garzón Duque  1 , Paula Andrea Uribe Cardenas  1 , Fabio León Rodríguez-Ospina  2 , Manuela Jiménez Cifuentes  1 , Valentina Zapata Paz  1
Affiliations

Factors related to the prevalence of pregnancy complications among subsistence workers in Medellín - Colombia

María Osley Garzón Duque et al. Rev Bras Med Trab. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Introduction: For the informal female workers on the streets and sidewalks of big cities, called "venteras," experiencing a pregnancy in a healthy environment is an ideal difficult to achieve.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of pregnancy complications and their relationship with health, working, and non-working conditions among the "venteras" in downtown Medellín.

Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized primary data collected through a survey administered to 291 workers. An assisted survey was conducted after obtaining informed consent from the participants. The variables included self-reported pregnancy complications, sociodemographic data, work-related conditions, home responsibilities, environmental factors, support and solidarity, and comorbidities. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed using chi-square tests and prevalence ratios (PR). A multivariate analysis was conducted using binomial regression. Statistical tests were carried out with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and a 5% margin of error.

Results: The workers' mean age was 48 years, with a mean education of < 6 years; 39% had more than 2 dependents. Additionally, 53.6% reported feeling discriminated against by authorities, and 23.7% by their peers; 21.6% reported severe family dysfunction, and 15.5% showed moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms. The prevalence of complications during pregnancy was 36.9%. Factors contributing to the explanation (p < 0.05) of more complications included living in a room/boarding house (AdjustedPR [APR] = 3.78, 95% CI 1.20-11.91), working while pregnant (APR 1.80, 95% CI 1.07-3.03), having moderate/severe depressive symptoms (APR = 15.02, 95% CI 1.34-167.79), and exposure to pollutants for more than 10 hours a day (APR = 8.11, 95% CI 8.04-214.09).

Conclusions: Conditions associated with a higher prevalence of pregnancy complications in these workers are health determinants that require joint efforts from the state, workers, and society.

Introducción: Para las trabajadoras informales “venteras” en las calles y aceras de las ciudades, vivir un proceso de gestación en un ambiente saludable es un ideal difícil de alcanzar.

Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de complicaciones en el embarazo y su relación con las condiciones de salud, laborales y extralaborales en las trabajadoras informales “venteras” del centro de Medellín.

Métodos: Estudio transversal con fuente primaria de información tomada por censo a 291 trabajadoras. Se aplicó encuesta asistida, previa toma de consentimiento. Las complicaciones autorreportadas en el embarazo se relacionaron con variables de condiciones sociodemográficas, del trabajo, responsabilidades en el hogar, ambientales, de apoyo y solidaridad, y comorbilidades. Se realizaron análisis descriptivo y bivariados con prueba chi cuadrado y razones de prevalencia (RP), además de análisis multivariado con regresión binomial y pruebas estadísticas con intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC95%) y error del 5%.

Resultados: Las trabajadoras tenían una edad promedio de 48 años y menos de 6 años de escolaridad; el 39% tenía más de dos personas a su cargo, el 53,6% percibía discriminación por parte de las autoridades y el 23,7% de sus compañeros; el 21,6% presentaba disfuncionalidad familiar severa y el 15,5% sintomatología depresiva moderada-severa. La prevalencia de complicaciones en embarazo fue del 36,9%. Aportaron a la explicación (p < 0,05) de mayores complicaciones: vivir en cuarto/inquilinato (RPAjustada [RPA] = 3,78, IC95% = 1,20-11,91), trabajar embarazadas (RPA = 1,80, IC95% = 1,07-3,03), tener sintomatología depresiva moderada/grave (RPA = 15,02, IC95% = 1,34-167,79) y exponerse más de 10 horas a un foco contaminante (RPA = 8,11, IC95% = 8,04-214,09).

Conclusiones: Las condiciones que se asocian y explican mayores prevalencias de complicaciones en el embarazo de estas trabajadoras son determinantes de la salud que requieren acciones combinadas del Estado, los trabajadores y la sociedad.

Keywords: complicaciones del embarazo; informal sector; mujeres trabajadoras; pregnancy complications; public health; salud pública; sector informal; social vulnerability; vulnerabilidad social; working women.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None

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