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AIMS Medical Science

2023, Volume 10, Issue 4: 273-290. doi: 10.3934/medsci.2023021
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Correlates of the use of health services among elementary school teachers: A cross-sectional exploratory study

  • 1.
    Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo, Boituva (SP), Brazil
  • 2.
    University of São Paulo, São Paulo (SP), Brazil
  • 3.
    Londrina State University, Londrina (PR), Brazil
  • 4.
    University of Pernambuco, Recife (PE), Brazil
  • Received: 26 June 2023 Revised: 15 September 2023 Accepted: 29 September 2023 Published: 17 October 2023

  • The aim of the present study was to analyze the use of health services and associated factors among elementary school teachers. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 505 school teachers from Londrina-PR, Brazil. The outcomes were medical consultation, emergency service, hospitalization, other consultations and laboratory and imaging exam use. Work and health characteristics were the independent variables. All variables were assessed using a self-report questionnaire and negative binomial regression was adopted to estimate rate ratios (RR). Sedentary behavior, being overweight, physical activity, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, burnout and high stress were not associated with any outcome. The presence of chronic diseases (RR = 1.27 to 4.25) and disability due to musculoskeletal disorders (RR = 1.25 to 2.52) was positively associated with all outcomes. Higher other consultations (RR = 2.13 and 1.94), laboratory (RR = 1.36 and 1.31) and imaging tests (RR = 1.50 and 1.42) were found in teachers with musculoskeletal pain and health insurance. Those with common mental disorders presented higher use of medical (RR = 1.50) or other consultations (RR = 1.41), as well as the emergency service (RR = 1.43). Length of employment was positively associated with other consultations (RR = 1.56 to 3.50) and imaging tests (RR = 1.28 to 1.39). Inadequate school infrastructure and musculoskeletal pain were associated with higher medical consultations (RR = 1.46 and 1.51), while problems related to dust and voice disorders were associated with higher use of the emergency service (RR = 1.60 to 1.99). Although the associations varied according to the outcome, the main predictors of health services were the presence of disability, chronic disease, musculoskeletal pain and common mental disorders. These variables should be considered to monitor and promote health care accessibility or reduce costs associated with health service use among elementary teachers.

    Citation: Diogo Henrique Constantino Coledam, Philippe Fanelli Ferraiol, Gustavo Aires de Arruda, Arli Ramos de Oliveira. Correlates of the use of health services among elementary school teachers: A cross-sectional exploratory study[J]. AIMS Medical Science, 2023, 10(4): 273-290. doi: 10.3934/medsci.2023021

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  • The aim of the present study was to analyze the use of health services and associated factors among elementary school teachers. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 505 school teachers from Londrina-PR, Brazil. The outcomes were medical consultation, emergency service, hospitalization, other consultations and laboratory and imaging exam use. Work and health characteristics were the independent variables. All variables were assessed using a self-report questionnaire and negative binomial regression was adopted to estimate rate ratios (RR). Sedentary behavior, being overweight, physical activity, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, burnout and high stress were not associated with any outcome. The presence of chronic diseases (RR = 1.27 to 4.25) and disability due to musculoskeletal disorders (RR = 1.25 to 2.52) was positively associated with all outcomes. Higher other consultations (RR = 2.13 and 1.94), laboratory (RR = 1.36 and 1.31) and imaging tests (RR = 1.50 and 1.42) were found in teachers with musculoskeletal pain and health insurance. Those with common mental disorders presented higher use of medical (RR = 1.50) or other consultations (RR = 1.41), as well as the emergency service (RR = 1.43). Length of employment was positively associated with other consultations (RR = 1.56 to 3.50) and imaging tests (RR = 1.28 to 1.39). Inadequate school infrastructure and musculoskeletal pain were associated with higher medical consultations (RR = 1.46 and 1.51), while problems related to dust and voice disorders were associated with higher use of the emergency service (RR = 1.60 to 1.99). Although the associations varied according to the outcome, the main predictors of health services were the presence of disability, chronic disease, musculoskeletal pain and common mental disorders. These variables should be considered to monitor and promote health care accessibility or reduce costs associated with health service use among elementary teachers.


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    Acknowledgments


    The authors would like to thank the Municipal Department of Education of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, as well as the principals and teachers who agreed to participate in this study. No funding was obtained for this study.

    Authors' contributions


    D.H.C. Coledam contributed to the study conception and design, acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting, critical review and final approval of the manuscript. P.F. Ferraiol contributed to acquisition of data, drafting, critical review and final approval of the manuscript. G.A. Arruda participated in drafting, critical review and final approval of the manuscript. A.R. Oliveira contributed to the study conception and design, critical review and final approval of the manuscript.

    Conflict of interest


    The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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