Factors associated with health-related quality of life of military policemen in Salvador, Brazil: cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Brazil is a violent society and police officers play a fundamental role in this scenario. Police work is a stressful occupation. Dealing with routine violence, police officers must have high standards of physical and mental health. Patrolling the streets involves several risks and stressful situations that may hamper military policemen's quality of life. The identification of factors associated with health-related quality of life may help in planning and providing adequate care to military policemen. This study aimed to identify factors associated with health-related quality of life of military policemen in Salvador, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional design study investigated a random sample of 329 male military police officers, engaged in patrolling the streets of Salvador, Brazil. A structured questionnaire applied to the policemen collected information about age, education, marital status, income, house ownership, car ownership, police rank, working day, alcohol consumption, smoking, frequency of vigorous physical activity, obesity (body mass index ≥ 30.0), and work ability. Health-related quality of life was evaluated through the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). Work ability was assessed through the Work Ability Index questionnaire. Poor work ability was defined by a 7–27 points score. Multiple linear regression models were used to measure the impact of police officers characteristics on the variation in the Physical Component and Mental Component Summary scores. Results: Normalised scores were below 50.0% for seven out of the eight SF-36 domains and for the two component summaries. The SF-36 Physical Component Summary was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with poor work ability, while the Mental Component Summary was associated with poor work ability, excessive alcohol consumption, and younger age (24–34 years). Multivariate analysis estimated that the Physical Component Summary was 7.386 units (%) lower among policemen with poor work ability compared to those with moderate/good/excellent work ability. The Mental Component Summary was 12.755 units lower among those with poor work ability, 5.354 units lower among those with excessive alcohol consumption, and 5.532 units higher among those with younger age. Conclusions: The military police officers investigated presented low health-related quality of life, associated with younger age, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor work ability.