Sociodemographic inequalities on women's behavioral and health outcomes: a population-based study

Abstract

Background: The inequality in access to women's basic rights can impact health conditions. This study aimed to assess sociodemographic inequalities on women's behavioral and health outcomes. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study conducted in a city in the south of Brazil in 2019. Individuals aged ≥18 years, living in an urban area, were eligible. For this study, only women were included. The outcomes evaluated were worse health perception, overweight, systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), diabetes mellitus (DM), insufficient physical activity, poorer diet quality, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Inequalities were analyzed considering age, schooling, and income, through the complex index of inequality, and equiplot graphs were presented. Results: Among the 523 women studied, a worse perception of health was found among the older adults, with lower income and schooling. SAH, DM, and poorer diet quality were more frequent in older women with less schooling. Those with less schooling were also more overweight and reported insufficient physical activity. Smoking and alcohol consumption were more frequent among younger women. Alcohol consumption was more frequent among those with a higher income and more schooling. Conclusion: There is a need to strengthen the education system, as well as to implement policies for valorization and qualification of work, with a view to the opportunity for improvement and gender equity.