Work Ability Index Questionnaire Research Articles

Consequences of Stress on the Workability of Physical Therapists

Assertive stressors are legitimate within all occupations. Elements similar to varying employee slots, underprivileged administration, increasing payables, lack of scheduled employee development, insufficient figures of workers, moreover disputes in the office might be frequent job-related irritants. Work efficiency is based on the equilibrium between job requirements and individual resources. Objective: To evaluate the consequences of stress on the ability of physical therapists to work. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which data were collected from 100 Physical therapists by using a non-probability convenient sampling technique from multiple hospitals in Karachi. The duration of the study was 6 months from January 2023 to June 2023. Data were evaluated by two validated questionnaires: The Work Ability Index Questionnaire (WAI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Statistical analysis was done through SPSS version 23.0. Results: Our study results show there is a weak relationship between stress with the different systems of the body in most of the research participants but it physically affects the performance of work in 27 % of participants with symptoms while 4% were unable to complete their task due to stress. Among the participants, 42% were taking leave due to sickness and work burden. Conclusions: There is a significant effect of stress on the workability of a physical therapist.

Six Minutes Walking Test as Assessment in Determining Fitness to Work After Spinal Tuberculosis Post Stabilization and Comprehensive Rehabilitation: A Case Report

Introduction: Spinal tuberculosis is the most common extrapulmonary skeletal form of tuberculosis that can lead to neuromuscular deficit. Neuromuscular deficit may include paraplegia in both legs, inability to perform daily activities, and an increased risk of loss of occupation. Case Presentation: A 37-year-old male presented with a chief complaint of weakness in both legs and was unable to stand properly unassisted. This patient was diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis, confirmed by MRI. The rehabilitation program was designed for 6 months, focusing on the preservation of cardiorespiratory endurance and planning a return to work. Evaluation of physical fitness and working ability was carried out using the 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT) and Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaires to determine whether the patient was fit to work. Six months after the rehabilitation program, the patient showed moderate physical fitness and a WAI score of 37 indicating fitness to work. Conclusion: Complications of spinal tuberculosis can cause disability in daily activities and result in loss of occupation. In this case, after six months of a comprehensive rehabilitation program and evaluation of fitness capacity, the patient can return to work but still needs more support of his work ability than before the illness.

Relation of the work ability index to fitness for work in healthcare and public employees in a region of Northeastern Italy

PurposeWork ability indicates an individual’s capacity to match job demands according to his/her physical and mental conditions and work circumstances. Occupational physicians should take into consideration the global health status of a worker in order to correctly assess if he/she is fit for the job. The aim of this study was to verify the association between fitness for work evaluation and Work Ability Index scores, as well as individual factors (age, gender, and anthropometric characteristics) and work-related variables (job type, years of working duration).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted within the occupational health surveillance of health and public employers in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region (2018–2022). The participants voluntarily agreed to answer the standard Work Ability Index questionnaire. Data were investigated by univariable as well as multivariable regression analysis.ResultsThe Work Ability Index of the workers included in the study (N = 6893) resulted negatively associated with age, female sex, and body mass index. It was averagely lower in nurses and assistive personnel, and the highest in medical doctors and public employers. The fitness for work assessments was also statistically related to WAI scores. The results obtained from the univariable and the multivariable analysis were consistent.ConclusionsThe Work Ability Index is an efficient tool to measure an individual’s capability to sustain job demands, and can be taken into account to produce a correct fitness for work evaluation and consequently preserve workers’ health status.

Workability and productivity among CTL machine operators – associations with sleep, fitness, and shift work

ABSTRACT Operational performance of fully mechanized cut-to-length (CTL) harvesting varies greatly due to the human factor i.e. the machine operator. This study investigated how CTL machine operators’ workability index (WAI), personal lifestyle choices, seasons, and shift work affected operational performance. Research evaluated 14 volunteer CTL machine operators for a longitudinal study with continuous data collection of productivity, activity level, sleep, and follow-up on a workability index questionnaire and fitness test every three months over a year. The study analyzed the production of 152 745.5 m3 of timber combined with self-tracking data. Operators’ relative productivity (Pr) had an increasing trend whilst WAI increased, thus WAI seems to work well also for forestry applications. Physical fitness (VO2max) didn’t seem to connect with Pr and WAI had only a slightly increasing trend when VO2max increased. The participants slept longer in the evening shift than in the morning shift (p < 0.000) consequently catching up on their sleep deficit from the morning shift period. Furthermore, operators’ higher sleep value (SV) in the evening shift increased Pr in the final fellings. The results should be of interest to both practitioners and researchers interested in the productivity of harvesting operations.

Assessment and Relationship of Work Ability and the Level of Physical Activity Among Professional Bus Drivers

Numerous studies have shown that city bus drivers suffer from three key categories of health disorders: cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders and musculoskeletal system issues, affecting the individual’s ability to work. The aim of this research was to assess the working ability of bus drivers and to determine the connection between the level of physical activity and the work ability in professional bus drivers. The study protocol included an assessment of participants’ work ability using the Work Ability Index (WAI) Questionnaire on a sample of 115 bus drivers. A statistical analysis was performed using the SAS System software package (SAS Institute Inc., North Carolina, USA). The questionnaire for determining the work ability index indicated good or excellent work ability in 78 (67.8%) of bus drivers. Moderate work ability that needed to be improved was recorded in 27 (23.5%) of drivers, and poor work ability that needed to be restored in 10 (8.7%). The results of the regression analysis show that increasing the average number of steps per day by a 1,000 increases the WAI score by 0.8. The obtained data should serve as an important argument for the design of future public health and kinesiology interventions to improve the work ability in professional bus drivers.

The Analysis of 607 Volunteers Shows a Reduction of Workability in Individuals With LONG-COVID Syndrome Associated With Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (P5-10.004)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To investigate symptoms associated with reducing of workability in individuals with LONG-COVID syndrome. <h3>Background:</h3> Few studies evaluated the impact of neuropsychiatric symptoms (fatigue, depression, anxiety and excessive sleepiness) on workability in a homogeneous group of workers. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> We evaluated 607 bank workers (mean age 42 years, 54% woman) after 200 days (on average) from confirmation of diagnosis of COVID19 (17% hospitalized and 83% non-hospitalized). Volunteers answered online forms including the “Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ)”, “Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)”, “Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS)” and “Work Ability Index (WAI)”. We used SPSS22 for statistical evaluation with Chi-Square tests for analyses of proportions. <h3>Results:</h3> Approximately 85% completed higher education, and most (74.6%) worked in contact with the public. Overall, we identified 37.5% with normal WAI and 62.5% with reduced WAI in a group of 429 volunteers who answered the WAI questionnaire. Volunteers self-reported several symptoms, including fatigue (37%), anxiety (36%), cognitive dysfunction (29%) and depression (17%). Almost 20% were asymptomatic at the interview. However, the quantification of symptoms with formal questionnaires revealed excessive somnolence in 45%, fatigue in 79%, anxiety in 61% and symptoms of depression 66%. The comparisons of presence of these symptoms between groups with REDUCED-WAI and NORMAL-WAI revealed excessive sleepiness (25% versus 56% respectively; p&lt;0.001), fatigue (93.2% versus 54% respectively; p&lt;0.001), symptoms of depression (68.2% versus 18%; respectively, p&lt;0.001) and anxiety (76.8% versus 30%, respectively p&lt;0. 001). In a longitudinal evaluation with 180 responders (average of 1 year after first interview), they self-reported fatigue (48%), anxiety (38%) and memory problems (52%). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Neuropsychiatric symptoms of LONG-COVID syndrome negatively affect work ability months after infection. These findings point to the urgence of specific and multidisciplinary treatments for patients to minimize the individual burden and the global economic loss. <b>Disclosure:</b> Mr. Salvador has received research support from The Research Support Foundation of the State of São Paulo. Mateus Nogueira has nothing to disclose. Lucas Silva has nothing to disclose. Dr. Karmann Aventurato has received research support from Coordenadoria de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Ensino Superior (CAPES). Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for UCB Pharma. Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for UCB Biopharma. Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for United Medical – Brazil. Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Zodiac Pharma . Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Eurofarma – Brazil . Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Epilepsia. Dr. Cendes has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Frontiers in Neurology - Epilepsy. The institution of Dr. Cendes has received research support from São Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP. The institution of Dr. Cendes has received research support from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - Brazil . The institution of Dr. Cendes has received research support from NIH. Marcia Bandini has nothing to disclose. Mr. De Cesare Del Nero has received research support from Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Clarissa Yasuda has nothing to disclose.

Associations between psychosocial factors and work ability in a Tunisian electricity and gas company

IntroductionWork ability can be influenced by numerous factors, particularly psychosocial ones. These latter can be individual psychosocial factors but also psychosocial factors at the workplace.ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore psychosocial determinants of work ability among workers in a Tunisian electricity and gas company.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey among 83 male workers in a Tunisian electricity and gas company. We used a self-administered questionnaire that included socio-demographic profile, psychosocial factors assessment through the Job content questionnaire (JCQ) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS software. We used the student’s test to compare means between two groups.ResultsThe mean WAI score among workers in the studied electricity and gas company was 8.96 (SD=1.37). At the time of the survey, one person out of 3 among the participants suffered from a psychological distress (37.3% with a GHQ-12 score ≥ 3). These Workers had a weaker work ability compared to those with not (p=0.033). We found also that having low social support and passive jobs were associated with low work ability (p=0.003 and p=0.005 respectively).ConclusionsMost personal and occupational psychosocial factors had significant associations with WAI in the studied company. Thus, enhancing the psychosocial environment in the workplace can promote work ability in such occupations.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Analysis of the Return to Work Program for Disabled Workers during the Pandemic COVID-19 Using the Quality of Life and Work Ability Index: Cross-Sectional Study.

Occupational accidents are rising, but there is little evidence on the outcomes of patients who received case management during Return to work (RTW) programs. This study examined the case management-based on RTW program features that improve the work ability index (WAI) and quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional research involved 230 disabled workers due to an occupational injury in Indonesia, 154 participated in RTW, and 75 did not participate in RTW (non-RTW) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociodemographic and occupational factors were used to examine the RTW results. We used the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health's WAI questionnaires to measure the work ability index and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) for quality of life. The study found a statistically significant difference in working duration and preferred treatment for RTW between the groups (p-value = 0.039). Furthermore, the quality of life in the domain of environmental health and work ability index score also demonstrated a significant difference between the groups (p-value = 0.023 and 0.000, respectively). During the COVID-19 pandemic, this study found that the RTW program improved the quality of life and work abilities of disabled workers.

P148 Work Ability Index (WAI) as a suitable instrument to assess work ability among IBD patients

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) is a chronic disease usually diagnosed in early adulthood and characterized by unpredictable flare-ups and debilitating symptoms that can interfere with the patient's ability to work and perform daily activities. In fact, since work disability is difficult to quantify, several scores have been developed for this purpose. The Work Ability Index(WAI) is a validated practical tool to measure the work capacity of patients. The objective of this study was to assess work performance in patients followed for IBD using the WAI psychometric tool, and to identify predictive factors of work disability. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study including working patients followed for IBD, over a 9-months period. We collected sociodemographic, clinico-biological and evolutionary data. Quality of life was assessed by the IBDQ questionnairy. Work capacity was assessed using the WAI, a short 7-item questionnairy, which classified work performance into four categories: poor (score between 7-27), moderate(28-36), good(37-43) and excellent(44-49). Results We included 45 patients: 80% Crohn disease and 20% ulcerative colitis. The mean age was 44 years[20-72], the sex-ratio M/F was 0.7, and the mean of follow-up time was 9 years[1-18]. The average number of working hours per week was 38.84 [9-60]. The mean absenteeism during the last twelve months was 49.6 days [0-240] and the average number of hospitalization days was 30.7 [0-150]. The mean WAI value was 32.58, which corresponds to a moderate work performance. Assessment of work performance according to the WAI questionnaire showed that 38% of patients (N=17) had poor work ability, 24% (N=11) moderate work ability, 33% (N=15) good work ability and only two patients had an excellent work ability. In univariate and multivariate study, predictive factors of disability at work in IBD patients were: Furthermore, the assessment of health-related quality of life by the IBDQ questionnairy showed a mean IBDQ value of 160.78 which corresponds to a moderate score relating a quality of life; 224 being the maximum score obtainable reflecting an optimal quality of life. In the analytical study and using Spearman's test, a statistically significant correlation was found between the WAI and IBDQ with a p-value &amp;lt;0.0001 and a correlation coefficient r=0.7, reflecting the impact of work life on quality of life. Conclusion In our study, one third of patients had poor work capacity. Risk factors for poor performance were disease severity, presence of osteoarticular extraintestinal manifestation, and patients with children. The only protective factor identified was a high level of education. Thus, the Work Ability Index can be used as a screening tool to identify the need for rehabilitation.

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

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&lt;0.001). The results of the study did not show a relationship between body mass index and perceived work ability (β=-0.021; P&lt;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.

The Relation of Work Ability and Return to Work Among Iranian Cancer Survivors.

Cancerous diseases are known to disrupt a person's ability and inflict physical, psychological, financial, and social complications on the person, thereby challenging an individual's returning to work. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of cancer patients to work after returning to work. This descriptive-correlational study examined a total of 227 surviving cancer patients, having picked the participants through convenience sampling. Data were collected by the return to work and work ability index (WAI) questionnaires and analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using SPSS software. A total of 166 (73.2%) of the participants had returned to work after completing the basic treatment. The mean (standard deviation) of the work ability score was 29.52 (9.43), ranging from 9 to 43 while the average daily work hours dropped from 12.30 to 5.50. The chi-square test showed a significant relationship between the work ability score and the type of return to work. Moreover, the rank logistic regression analysis revealed that work ability was the most important predictor of return to work. Survivors of cancer face reduced working hours and limited ability to work after returning to work, and it is possible to facilitate the return to work in these patients by identifying their job needs in relation to their abilities and barriers of returning to work through the appropriate interventions.

Importance of frequency and intensity of strength training for work ability among physical therapists

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between frequency and intensity of strength training participation and work ability among physical therapists (PTs). The Work Ability Index questionnaire (WAI) and a questionnaire about participation in strength training during leisure time were administered to a sample of Spanish PTs. In addition, participants provided information on gender, age, body mass index, education, substance use, working experience and working hours per week. The odds for having excellent WAI (score 44–49) as a function of intensity or frequency of strength training participation were determined using binary logistic regression controlled for various confounders. Data from 981 PTs were analysed. High-intensity strength training (> 80% 1 RM) showed strong associations with excellent WAI (odds ratio = 9.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.9–31.6). In addition, performing strength training more than 3 times per week was associated with excellent WAI (odds ratio = 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–2.59), however, no significant associations were found with lower levels of frequency and intensities. High-intensity strength training 3 times per week is associated with excellent WAI among PTs. Training programs meeting these features may importantly contribute to maintain or improve WAI.

Evaluation of work ability index and its association with job stress and musculoskeletal disorders among midwives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and work-related stress are among the factors that can negatively affect work ability. Given the importance of midwives' health, this study aims to evaluate the work ability of midwives and to investigate its association with the prevalence of MSDs and work-related stress in midwifery. Ninety-one midwives participated in this study. Three questionnaires, including Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) plus body map, Persian version of work ability index (WAI) questionnaire, and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) job stress questionnaire, were used to collect data. Finally, the association of MSDs, work-related stress, and individual characteristics with WAI among midwives was investigated. The highest rates of pain and discomfort were reported in the lower back and neck. The mean job stress was 116.08 with the highest scores on demand, role, and control subscales. The work ability among midwives was at an acceptable level of 39.07 on average. Inter-variable association analysis showed that the work ability was significantly associated with pain in the past 12 months and the number of coexisting MSDs. Job stress was not associated with work ability. Midwives' WAI was at an acceptable level despite high prevalence of MSDs in midwives, the confirmation of the possible correlation between MSDs and work ability, as well as the high job stress in midwifery. Since the present study was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic, the high stress in midwives may be partly due to the pandemic and may not be permanent. However, this level of stress may reduce the midwives' work ability over a long time.

Daytime sleepiness and work ability index in health care workers

Introduction: Hospital personnel are susceptible to sleep disorders due to their occupational nature, which has a negative impact on their behavioral and cognitive function and can decrease their ability to work. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between daytime sleepiness and its affecting factors and work ability index.&#x0D; Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 384 personnel of different departments of Al-Zahra hospital in Isfahan who were selected by quota sampling based on the ratio of number of staff of each job title to the total number of hospital personnel. For participants a checklist of demographic and occupational variables and two questionnaires: ESS (Epworth sleepiness scale) and WAI (Work Ability Index) were completed. Scores 13 and more for ESS questionnaire were considered as daytime sleepiness, and scores 28 and less for the WAI questionnaire were considered as poor performance.&#x0D; Result: 48% of participants were male and 52% were female. The mean age of the participants was 35.79±7.65 years and their mean working experience was 10.48±7.24 years. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between daytime sleepiness and demographic and occupational variables other than gender and educational level. Regarding the work ability index a significant relationship was seen with the above variables except gender, educational level and job title. A strong reverse and significant relationship was observed between daily drowsiness and the work ability index.&#x0D; Conclusion: The relationship between WAI and ESS in hospital personnel indicates that the ability to work can be increased by improving sleep status and controlling the factors that lead to daytime sleepiness.

A Survey of Shift Work and Work Ability Index among Nurses: A Case Study in Educational Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran

Shift work is a social phenomenon with adverse effects on the lives and health of people in various aspects. This adverse effect decreases shift workers’ ability over a time period. The aim of the present study was to survey disturbances due to shift work and some disorders associated with work ability index among nurses in educational hospitals, Ahvaz, Iran. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 33 nurses at the Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. The survey of shift workers questionnaire (SOS) and the Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire was used as data collection tools. The related data was analyzed based on the descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation test, and Spearman correlation test using IBM SPSS software version 19. The results showed that 97% of problems related to the effects of shift work on the individuals’ lives, families, and musculoskeletal disorders, 87.9% related to insomnia and social problems, and 75.8% related to mental disorders. Although it showed a significant relationship between the workability index with the variable of experience and mental disorders, it showed no significant relationship between the prevalence of insomnia and musculoskeletal disorders variables. The results of this study showed that shift working disrupts mental, social, and physical health that ultimately adversely affect the ability of shift workers. Therefore, it was recommended to adjust working hours and allocate the appropriate shifts to improve the workability of individuals.

Work ability and associated factors in people living with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1

ABSTRACTBackground: Infection with the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) affects an estimated 10-15 million people worldwide. However, knowledge of the impact of HTLV-1 infection on work ability is lacking. This study aimed to measure the frequency and identify factors associated with poor work ability in patients living with HTLV-1. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 207 individuals infected with HTLV-1 who attended the University Hospital in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. HTLV-1 antibodies were detected in the participants’ blood by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed by western blotting. Participants answered a questionnaire on sociodemographic data, personal habits, clinical data, health-related quality of life, and work ability, evaluated using the work ability index questionnaire. A Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimate was used to identify the factors associated with the prevalence of poor work ability.Results: Patients mean age was 55.2, ranging from 19 to 84 years, 73.0% were females, 100% had monthly family income less than US$ 394, and 33.8% presented HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). No individual was classified as having excellent work ability. Poor work ability prevalence was strongly associated (prevalence ratio; 95% confidence interval [CI]) with sedentarism (1.30; 1.03-1.65), neurological symptoms (1.25; 1.02-1.52), and low physical (0.95; 0.94-0.96) and mental (0.98; 0.97-0.99) component summaries of health-related quality of life.Conclusions: Poor work ability among people living with HTLV-1 is associated with sedentarism, neurologic symptoms, and low health-related quality of life.

Online survey among maritime pilots: job-related stress and strain and the effects on their work ability

BackgroundMaritime pilots often navigate ships through challenging waterways. The required 24 h standby rotation system (ROS) poses a stressful working situation. This study aims to describe the current job-related stress and strain among maritime pilots and the effects on their work ability, taking into account the different rotation systems.MethodsWithin a cross-sectional survey, pilots of all German pilots’ associations were asked to complete an online questionnaire. The 1-week ROS (port pilots) was compared with the 4-month ROS (sea and canal pilots). The pilots’ subjective perception of stress and strain was assessed using an established ship-specific questionnaire. Daily sleepiness and work ability were examined respectively using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Work Ability Index (WAI).ResultsThe study group consisted of 401 male German pilots with an average age of 48.5 years (participation rate 46.9%). More than 50% of the pilots evaluated irregular working hours as the main stressor in their job. 79.8% of the pilots (especially 4-month ROS) experienced high psychological demands in their workplace. 83.3% stated having regularly neglected their private obligations due to job assignments. Pilots from the 4-month ROS experienced insufficiently predictable free time and long operation times at a stretch as stressors (p < 0.001 and p = 0.037). Elevated daily sleepiness was found in 41.9% of the pilots. The overall evaluation of the WAI questionnaire showed good to very good work ability at 77.3%. Additionally, no significant differences in the daily sleepiness or the work ability were observed between the pilots of the different two ROS.ConclusionsDue to their subjectively higher job-related mental demands, their disturbed work-life balance, and their long operation times at a stretch, it is likely that pilots from the 4-month ROS have significantly higher job stress compared to those in the 1-week ROS. However, this does not lead to more sleepiness or reduced work ability, which suggests that the pilots of this ROS are highly adapted to their working situation. Nevertheless, intervention measures with shortened ROS amongst sea and canal pilots’ associations should be tested in respect of benefit, practicability and acceptance by the pilots.

Longitudinal work ability index (wai): a case study with workers in an agricultural research company

The main goal of this study is to describe the variability in work ability over time and to verify the influences of professional and sociodemographic variables. It is a longitudinal study conducted with 148 employees of an agricultural research company in a city located in the countryside of São Paulo state, Brazil. The Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire was applied to each individual in the sample in two times: December 2018 and June 2019. Different statistical analyzes of the data were performed using t-Student hypothesis tests for paired data, multiple linear regression models with normal errors, logistic regression models and Bayesian beta regression models assuming dependent WAI measures (the novelty of this study). From the obtained results, it is concluded that the Work Ability Index average decreases over time. Some covariates as education, physical activity, position in the company, number of children and nature of task have some influence on the variability of the WAI. The results of the data analysis show that the most important factor affecting the workers WAI index in both times is physical activity.

Do work ability and life satisfaction matter for return to work? Predictive ability of the work ability index and life satisfaction questionnaire among women with long-term musculoskeletal pain

BackgroundImpaired work ability and reduced life satisfaction due to long-term musculoskeletal pain, particularly in neck, shoulders and back, are considered occupational health problems that can result in workers taking sick leave. The aim of the study was to determine whether work ability and life satisfaction predict return to work (RTW) among women with long-term neck/shoulder and/or back pain, and to assess the ability of the Work Ability Index (WAI) and the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11) to discriminate between those who did RTW and those who did not RTW (NRTW).MethodsThis is a cohort study with 1-year follow-up. A survey was sent to 600 women receiving sick leave benefits from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. In total, 208 women responded at baseline, and 141 at a 1-year follow-up. To identify whether work ability and life satisfaction predicted RTW, multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with and without adjustment for type of work and pain intensity. To assess the discriminative ability of the WAI and the LiSat-11 for women who did RTW and those who did NRTW, receiver operating characteristic curves were fitted.ResultsWork ability predicted RTW, and the results remained significant after adjusting for type of work and pain intensity (OR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.22). Life satisfaction was not significant. The WAI at baseline adequately discriminated between RTW and NRTW after 1 year (Area under curve 0.78, 95% CI: 0.70–0.86), but the LiSat-11 did not.ConclusionsThis study supports a relationship between work ability and RTW among women on sick leave for long-term neck/shoulder and/or back pain. The results indicate that the WAI, but not the LiSat-11, can discriminate between RTW and NRTW in the population under study. Although the discriminative ability of the WAI needs to be verified in new samples before it can be recommended for use in rehabilitation settings, we suggest that healthcare professionals consider how women perceive their work ability in order to better support them in their RTW.

Factors associated with health-related quality of life of military policemen in Salvador, Brazil: cross-sectional study

BackgroundBrazil is a violent society and police officers play a fundamental role in this scenario. Police work is a stressful occupation. Dealing with routine violence, police officers must have high standards of physical and mental health. Patrolling the streets involves several risks and stressful situations that may hamper military policemen's quality of life. The identification of factors associated with health-related quality of life may help in planning and providing adequate care to military policemen. This study aimed to identify factors associated with health-related quality of life of military policemen in Salvador, Brazil.MethodsA cross-sectional design study investigated a random sample of 329 male military police officers, engaged in patrolling the streets of Salvador, Brazil. A structured questionnaire applied to the policemen collected information about age, education, marital status, income, house ownership, car ownership, police rank, working day, alcohol consumption, smoking, frequency of vigorous physical activity, obesity (body mass index ≥ 30.0), and work ability. Health-related quality of life was evaluated through the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). Work ability was assessed through the Work Ability Index questionnaire. Poor work ability was defined by a 7–27 points score. Multiple linear regression models were used to measure the impact of police officers characteristics on the variation in the Physical Component and Mental Component Summary scores.ResultsNormalised scores were below 50.0% for seven out of the eight SF-36 domains and for the two component summaries. The SF-36 Physical Component Summary was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with poor work ability, while the Mental Component Summary was associated with poor work ability, excessive alcohol consumption, and younger age (24–34 years). Multivariate analysis estimated that the Physical Component Summary was 7.386 units (%) lower among policemen with poor work ability compared to those with moderate/good/excellent work ability. The Mental Component Summary was 12.755 units lower among those with poor work ability, 5.354 units lower among those with excessive alcohol consumption, and 5.532 units higher among those with younger age.ConclusionsThe military police officers investigated presented low health-related quality of life, associated with younger age, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor work ability.