Association between depressive symptoms and physical inactivity in technical-administrative workers at a public university in Northeastern Brazil

Objective: to investigate the association between depressive symptoms and physical inactivity in technical-administrative workers at a public university in Northeastern Brazil. Methods: cross-sectional study, carried out with technical-administrative workers at a public university in the State of Bahia. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 instrument and the level of physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed and the magnitude of the association was estimated by calculating the odds ratio (OR), adopting a 95% confidence interval as a measure of precision. Results: 301 civil servants participated in the study and, among these, 214 (71.1%) were women. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 25.7% and 52.0% of employees declared themselves to be physically inactive. Depressive symptoms and physical inactivity were associated according to the effect modifiers working time at the institution ≤ 15 years (RP=3.03; 95% CI: 1.05; 9.16) and capacity in administrative sectors (PR= 1.90; 95% CI: 1.14; 3.18). Conclusion: the need for adaptations in organizational management and the creation of effective programs to encourage the potential benefits for health and well-being provided by the performance of physical activities in the work environment was evidenced.