Work Ability Score (WAS) as a Suitable Instrument to Assess Work Ability Among Iranian Workers

Abstract

Background: The high item numbers is one of the Work Ability Index (WAI) limitations that make it difficult to be completed by the workers. Using the single-item Work Ability Score (WAS) as a simple is one of the proposed solutions which is valid and suitable measure for work ability. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess work ability using WAI and WAS instruments and to compare their results among Iranian workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 1579 workers from eleven different work sectors located in different geographical areas in Iran. Work ability was measured by the full Persian version of WAI. Data were analyzed using univariate tests, Pearson product moment correlation, Gamma test, and multiple liner regression analysis. Results: The mean scores of the WAI and WAS were 39.95 ± 6.1 (range 15 - 49) and 8.1 ± 1.8 (range 0 - 10), respectively. Both the WAI and WAS showed the similar patterns of associations with the assessed independent variable. There was a strong correlation between the mean scores of WAI and WAS. In addition, the Gamma test showed that the categories of WAI were strongly correlated with the categories of WAS. Conclusions: The WAS could be used for reliable assessment of work ability among Iranian workers. To improve the worker’s work ability, interventional programs should focus on the alteration and correction of work schedule, and increasing the supervisor’s support for the young workers.