WORK-RELATED MENTAL DISORDERS IN BRAZIL AND BAHIA: TEMPORAL TRENDS IN SINAN NOTIFICATIONS AND INSS LEAVE OF ABSENCE, 2007-2024

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1595322522105

• Palavras-chave: Worker Health. Mental Disorders. Disease Reporting. Health Information Systems. Underreporting .

• Keywords: Worker Health. Mental Disorders. Disease Reporting. Health Information Systems. Underreporting .

• Abstract:

  Introduction: Work-related mental disorders are an important public health problem, yet they remain largely invisible in Brazilian surveillance systems. Objective: To analyze the temporal trend in notifications of work-related mental disorders in Bahia between 2007 and 2025 and compare these data with the number of leaves of absence granted by the INSS during the same period. Methodology: Ecological study based on secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) and the National Social Security Institute (INSS). Simple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the trend in annual notifications. Results: A statistically significant upward trend in notifications was identified between 2007 and 2024, with an average of 10.2 additional notifications per year (p < 0.001). However, in 2024, SINAN recorded only 269 notifications, while INSS granted 14,062 leaves of absence for mental disorders, evidencing a discrepancy and probable structural underreporting. Conclusions: The findings reveal an increase in the reporting of work-related mental disorders in Bahia, but also indicate severe underreporting in health surveillance systems. Intersectoral actions are needed to integrate information systems, train professionals, and strengthen mental health surveillance of workers in Brazil.