Employment in the neighborhoods of Barcelona: health effects of an active labor market program in Southern Europe.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in self-perceived health status and mental health among participants in an active labour market policy (ALMP) of Barcelona, and to assess whether the results differed according to the participants' social characteristics and their program trajectories. METHODS: A pre-post intervention study was designed, including unemployed people participating in a return-to-work ALMP in 13 deprived neighborhoods of Barcelona; using one survey upon entering the program (pre), and another 1 year later (post). We assessed the prevalence of poor self-perceived health status and poor mental health (Goldberg-12 questionnaire) in both periods of time. We fit five Poisson regression models using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to measure changes in self-perceived health and mental health between pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: About 696 individuals (48% women) participated in the study, mainly manual workers. In both sexes, mental health improved (prevalence ratio [PR]-comparing post- and pre-periods for women: 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39-0.61 and men: PR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.32-0.53), whereas self-perceived health status remained stable or worsened. Men who remained unemployed reported poorer self-perceived health status, while no such association was observed among women. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a mental health improvement among male and female participants.

Social and material determinants of health in participants in an active labor market program in Barcelona.

BACKGROUND: Unemployment affects the physical and mental health of affected individuals, which can be explained by its direct effect on worsening finances due to the lack of income as well as by its negative psychosocial effects. "Employment in the Neighborhoods" return to work program was implemented in Barcelona specifically in the neighborhoods characterized with a greater economic deprivation and by high unemployment to improve personal and occupational abilities and skills of the participants to reintegrate them into the workforce. The aim of this study is to determine the association between the lack of economic resources and psychosocial factors with respect to mental health and self-rated health in unemployed persons participating in the program "Employment in the Neighborhoods". METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Data collected from a self-administered questionnaire. Generalized linear models were constructed, adjusted by age and social class, to estimate prevalence ratios and analyze any possible association between economic resources, psychosocial factors and poor self-rated health and mental health. RESULTS: Nine hundred forty-eight persons of 2763 participants in the "Employment in the Neighborhoods" program completed the questionnaire. 46.9% were women. 72.5% of women and 61.9% of men were at risk of poor mental health and 25.5% of women and 21.1% of men reported poor self-rated health. Low self-esteem [women: PR 1.88 95%CI (1.24-2.84); men: PR 2.51 95%CI (1.57-4.02)] and medium social support [2.01 (1.30-3.09)], in men, and low social support [1.74 (1.13-2.68)] in women are associated with worsening of self-rated health. In men, low self-esteem [1.40 (1.19-1.64)] and delay in paying bills [1.38 (1.17-1.64)] were associated with the risk of poor mental health; in women were associated low self-esteem [1.27 (1.11-1.44)] and received a non-contributory allowance [1.37 (1.09-1.74)]. CONCLUSIONS: Economic resources, self-esteem and social support are necessary for good general and mental health among unemployed persons. The high prevalence of poor mental health among persons participating in the active labor market program "Employment in the Neighborhoods" could be due to a substantial deficit in these factors.