Causes of disability in one of the largest public universities in Brazil: is there a relationship with employment position?

TL;DR

This study examines disability retirement patterns among employees at a large Brazilian university, finding that noncommunicable diseases are the main cause and that disability rates are higher among women and less-educated positions.

Contribution

The study provides insights into the demographic and occupational profile of disability retirees in a major Brazilian public university.

Findings

Noncommunicable diseases were the primary cause of disability retirement.

Disability retirement was more common in less-educated positions and among women.

The mean age of disability retirement was early, regardless of sex or retirement type.

Abstract

Disability retirement is granted to civil servants considered permanently incapable of
working. Noncommunicable diseases are the main cause of permanent disability and
retirement in Brazil. The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest
universities in Brazil, and determining the profile of employees who receive disability
pensions at this institution is of great relevance.

To describe the profile of university employees who retired due to a disability between
2003 and 2017.

This cross-sectional study was based on disability retirement records for civil
servants. Demographic variables such as sex, age at retirement, and employment position
were evaluated.

A total of 630 cases were analyzed, including 334 (53%) full and 296 (47%) proportional
retirements; 499 (79.2%) were aged 30 to 59 years at retirement, and 368 (51.4%) were
women. The full retirement rate was higher among those with senior level positions (p
< 0.001), in older age groups (p < 0.001), and in men (p = 0.012).

Noncommunicable disease was the main cause of retirement. The mean age at permanent
disability was early, regardless of sex or retirement type. Permanent disability was
more common among employees in positions requiring less education. The disability rate
was highest among women.

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