8241243 Association between employment conditions and chronic disease in a retrospective cohort in Colombia, 2010–2016

<h3>Objective</h3> To analyze the association between employment conditions and the prevalence and incidence of chronic diseases among the economically active population in Colombia, a country undergoing demographic and health transitions. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> A retrospective cohort of 5,633 individuals was built using data from three waves (2010, 2013, 2016) of the Colombian Longitudinal Survey (ELCA). Self-reported chronic illness/pain and diagnosed chronic diseases were the outcome variables. Employment conditions (contract status, labor relationship type, health insurance, wage level, economic sector, unemployment episodes) and sociodemographic variables (age, education, ethnicity, marital status, household role, socioeconomic strata, region) were analyzed. Prevalence ratios (PR) and relative risks (RR) were estimated using regression models, including gender-stratified and longitudinal analyses. <h3>Results</h3> Lack of a work contract was significantly associated with higher prevalence of self-reported chronic illness (adjusted PR=1.18; 95% CI: 1.1–1.3) and diagnosed chronic disease (adjusted PR=1.11; 95% CI: 1.0–1.2). Individuals in non-salaried positions (self-employed or others) showed higher chronic disease prevalence (adjusted PR=1.19; 95% CI: 1.1–1.5). Gender-specific analysis confirmed this association remained stable across all rounds, with slightly stronger effects among men. Longitudinal analyses over 2010–2016 indicated a persistent increased risk of reporting chronic illness among those lacking a contract (adjusted RR=1.12; 95% CI: 1.0–1.2). The risk was also higher for self-employed individuals with respect to diagnosed chronic conditions (adjusted RR=1.16; 95% CI: 1.02–1.3).