Health related quality of life (SF-36) among women: a comparative study between housewives and workers in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: The conditions of women in the job market and the traditional female roles in the family may distinctly influence the health and quality of life. This study assessed health related quality of life (HRQL) of women between 18 and 64 years of age according to insertion in the production process and schooling (housewives and paid workers with < 9 and > 9 years of study). 

METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with conglomerate sampling. 668 women were analyzed from a health survey carried out in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2008 (ISACAMP 2008). The HRQL was assessed using The Medical Outcomes Study Instrument SF-36 – Item Short Form Health Survey. The dependent variables were the eight scales of the SF-36. Independent variables were the condition insertion in the production process and the level of schooling. Analyses were performed by linear regression models, simple and multiple. Adjustment variables were age and number of chronic diseases.  

RESULTS: Among the workers paid the SF-36 mean scores were similar in both level of schooling, with the exception of general health (β= -6.5). Comparing housewives with higher level of schooling with paid female workers, the lowest scores among the housewives were observed in the scales: vitality (β= -9.6), role-emotional (β= -4.7), social functioning (β= -4.1) and mental health (β = -9.8). The study also pointed out the lower scores in housewives with low level of schooling in all scales of the SF-36, except pain. The largest associations were found in: general health (β= -13.7), role-physical (β= -11.2) and mental health (β= -10.9).  

CONCLUSIONS: There was inequality in HRQL according to insertion in the production process. Paid employment is positively associated with better health and quality of life in women. Housewives with up to 8 years of schooling exhibited a worse quality of life.