Table 4 Odds ratios for poor health by employment status

Poor self-reported health

Employed

1

1

Unemployed

1.54 (1.17-2.02)

1.72 (1.28-2.30)

Permanently sick

40.75 (30.58-54.31)

25.43 (18.90-34.21)

Looking after home and family

2.59 (2.11-3.18)

2.20 (1.76-2.76)

Others

1.80 (1.35-2.40)

2.45 (1.77-3.40)

p < 0.001

p < 0.001

Limiting longstanding illness

Employed

1

1

Unemployed

1.19 (0.88-1.60)

1.53 (1.11-2.09)

Permanently sick

91.89 (62.44-135.24)

65.59 (44.19-97.33)

Looking after home and family

2.11 (1.71-2.62)

2.03 (1.61-2.56)

Others

1.64 (1.22-2.21)

2.70 (1.92-3.78)

p < 0.001

p < 0.001

Poor mental health

Employed

1

1

Unemployed

2.04 (1.54-2.71)

2.28 (1.69-3.08)

Permanently sick

7.20 (5.80-8.95)

7.40 (5.80-9.45)

Looking after home and family

1.69 (1.31-2.16)

1.51 (1.16-1.96)

Others

2.65 (1.97-3.56)

3.28 (2.35-4.58)

p < 0.001

p < 0.001

Poor lung function

Employed

1

1

Unemployed

1.34 (1.02-1.77)

1.34 (1.00-1.80)

Permanently sick

3.49 (2.84-4.29)

3.22 (2.56-4.05)

Looking after home and family

1.14 (0.09-1.45)

1.12 (0.86-1.44)

Others

1.31 (0.96-1.79)

1.41 (1.01-1.97)

p < 0.001

p < 0.001

Current smoker

Employed

1

1

Unemployed

2.03 (1.62-2.53)

1.67 (1.31-2.12)

Permanently sick

2.85 (2.34-3.46)

1.84 (1.48-2.29)

Looking after home and family

1.91 (1.58-2.29)

1.35 (1.10-1.66)

Others

1.28 (0.99-1.67)

1.11 (0.83-1.49)

p < 0.001

p < 0.001

Heavy alcohol consumption

Employed

1

1

Unemployed

1.01 (0.78-1.31)

0.84 (0.64-1.11)

Permanently sick

0.70 (0.54-0.89)

0.72 (0.55-0.94)

Looking after home and family

0.40 (0.30-0.53)

0.52 (0.39-0.70)

Others

0.77 (0.56-1.05)

0.61 (0.44-0.86)

p < 0.001

p < 0.001