Assessment of Work Ability Status and Its Association with Fatigue and Health among Industrial Workers in Southeast Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective: Workforce aging is one of the problems leading to a decrease in working ability. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived work ability and its association with fatigue, as well as general and mental health in industrial workers. Materials and Methods: A total of 350 people working in various industries of Zahedan, Iran, participated in this cross-sectional study. The data were collected using the first item of the work ability index questionnaire known as work ability score (WAS), the fatigue assessment scale, as well as the general and mental health scales of the Copenhagen questionnaire. The Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 24). Results: The mean score of the WAS among the studied subjects was 4.76±1.59, which is categorized as a poor level. According to the results of multiple linear regression analysis, fatigue, general health, and mental health had a significant effect on perceived work ability, among which the strongest relationship was related to fatigue (β=-0.324; P<0.001). The results of the study did not show a relationship between body mass index and perceived work ability (β=-0.021; P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings of the research, the perceived work ability was at a poor level. Fatigue and general health had the greatest effect on perceived work ability. It is suggested to design and implement studies in order to identify other factors affecting work ability.