Coorte RESPIRA: indicadores de saúde e qualidade de vida de docentes do ensino superior - um estudo brasileiro prospectivo

Abstract

This thesis investigated the factors associated with the quality of life of faculty members at public higher education institutions (HEIs) in Brazil, through a prospective cohort study with 954 participants. In the descriptive study of baseline data, daytime sleepiness, predisposition to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), psychosocial work factors, physical activity, and quality of life were evaluated, identifying a prevalence of 28.5% for excessive sleepiness, 40% with intermediate to high predisposition to OSA, a high prevalence of psychosocial risk, mainly for symptoms of stress (63.5%) and burnout (62.5%), and an estimated level of physical activity as active (39%). Among the domains and facets of quality of life, lower scores were observed for social relationships, sleep and rest, sexual activity, and leisure. In this longitudinal study, with six- and twelve-month follow-up, predictors of quality of life were investigated using multiple linear regression, revealing that psychosocial risks at baseline were negatively associated with all quality of life domains (physical, psychological, environmental and social relationships) assessed after one year. Furthermore, the main factor negatively associated with the physical and psychological domains was the number of medical diagnoses. Family income was positively associated with the outcome of the environmental domain, while the dimension of quantitative work demands showed a negative association with the social relationships domain. The results indicate that professors’ quality of life is determined by multiple individual and structural factors, highlighting the need for integrated interventions that promote physical, mental, and occupational health, including quality of life programs, health education, stress management, and institutional policies that reduce psychosocial risks. This thesis contributes to the advancement of knowledge about the health and quality of life of professors in public higher education institutions, offering support for the formulation of institutional strategies and practices by occupational physiotherapists or other occupational health and safety professionals, aimed at disease prevention, promoting quality of life, and ensuring the sustainability of teaching work.