Who experiences discrimination in Brazil? Evidence from a large metropolitan region

Abstract

IntroductionPerceived discrimination is related to poor health and has been offered as one explanation for the persistence of health inequalities in some societies. In this study, we explore the prevalence and correlates of perceived discrimination in a large, multiracial Brazilian metropolitan area.MethodsThe study uses secondary analysis of a regionally representative household survey conducted in 2010 (n=12,213). Bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression assess the magnitude and statistical significance of covariates associated with reports of any discrimination and with discrimination in specific settings, including when seeking healthcare services, in the work environment, in the family, in social occasions among friends or in public places, or in other situations.ResultsNearly 9% of the sample reported some type of discrimination. In multivariable models, reports of any discrimination were higher among people who identify as black versus white (OR 1.91), higher (OR 1.21) among women than men, higher (OR 1.33) among people in their 30’s and lower (OR 0.63) among older individuals. People with many health problems (OR 4.97) were more likely to report discrimination than those with few health problems. Subjective social status (OR 1.23) and low social trust (OR 1.27) were additional associated factors. Perceived discrimination experienced while seeking healthcare differed from all other types of discrimination, in that it was not associated with skin color, social status or trust, but was associated with sex, poverty, and poor health.ConclusionsThere appear to be multiple factors associated with perceived discrimination in this population that may affect health. Policies and programs aimed at reducing discrimination in Brazil will likely need to address this wider set of interrelated risk factors across different populations.

Moderators of the association between discrimination and alcohol consumption: findings from a representative sample of Brazilian university students

“…The frequency of self-reported discrimination in this study (65.8%) was relatively higher than in three other Brazilian studies, which estimated a prevalence of 16.4% among adolescents, 31 9% among a general adult population 32 and 34.7% among public civil servants. 33 The prevalence of self-reported discrimination was also higher than that found in studies that enrolled immigrants 9 and Latinos 34 in the United States; in both, the prevalence of discrimination was about 30.0%.…”

“…In addition, the techniques adopted to approach the interviewees in each study varied substantially. For instance, Macinko et al 32 and Gonçalves et al 31 administered face-toface questionnaires, whereas our investigation used self-administered instruments. The investigation of a sensitive topic, such as discrimination, using face-to-face interviews may have contributed to the underestimation of the phenomenon.…”

Differential reporting of discriminatory experiences in Brazil and the United States

“…Most of the extant research on perceived discrimination has been conducted in the United States, a society with a long history of institutionalized racial discrimination, but one that experienced a Civil Rights movement in the 1960s that led to legal restrictions on racial discrimination, and a need to monitor compliance with these new laws. Researchers in other societies have also begun to explore the prevalence of perceived racial discrimination in the context of their own distinctive social and legal histories around race, such as South Africa 3 and Brazil 4,5,6,7 . Brazil stands out as a society without racially-discriminatory laws after the abolition of slavery, and a unique reputation as a supposed "racial democracy" as compared to other multiracial societies, but only recently has begun to officially acknowledge the persistence of racebased inequalities and discrimination.…”

“…A 2010 sample of adults in Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais State) showed that 15% of Blacks felt they were victim of any type of discrimination, compared to about 8% of Brown or White Brazilians 4 . A higher percentage of Black and Brown adolescents in Pelotas (Rio Grande do Sul State) reported that during the past year from interview, they felt discriminated against or damaged because of "color or race; religion or cult; poverty or wealth; disease or physical disability" as compared to white peers 5 .…”

Disparidades étnico-raciais em saúde autoavaliada: análise multinível de 2.697 indivíduos residentes em 145 municípios brasileiros

“…Por outro lado, não se pode descartar limitações inerentes a estudos étnico-racial como as diferenças idiossincráticas na autodeterminação racial e na percepção de racismo 47 , como explicativas da associação estatisticamente significativa verificada na categorização original. As complexidades das pesquisas étnico-raciais na área de saúde foram também apontadas por um estudo recente de Macinko et al 48 , que, ao analisarem o resultado de uma pesquisa de 12.930 residentes da Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, verificaram que a probabilidade prevista de declarar ter sido vítima de discriminação foi maior para homens e mulheres com saúde ruim que se autodeclararam com pretos (31% e 35%, respectivamente). Entretanto, segundo os autores, raça/cor foi apenas uma das variáveis associadas com discriminação, o que pode indicar a complexidade da relação entre raça/cor, discriminação e saúde.…”