The Relationship between Work Ability Index (WAI), Mental Workload and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) of Firefighters in Tehran, Iran

Introduction.Two great changes in developed countries are taking place: populations are ageing and becoming increasingly overweight. Combination of these factors with shift work is a risk factor for work ability and mental workload that are dynamic processes which change greatly throughout an individual's work life. The aim of this study was to investigate mental workload and work ability in textile workers and to identify factors which affect work ability and mental workload.Methods.This cross-sectional study was carried out among 194 male workers in textile industry. Employees based on their job group and work conditions have been divided into 6 categories. They completed work ability index and mental workload questionnaires during three work shifts. Body mass index (BMI) and demographic details were recorded.Results.All of the participants rated their work ability as moderate with high mental workload. The mean WAI and mental workload in age group were significant. The mean BMI was 25.5 kg/m2(standard deviation 4.1) and the mean age was 40.22 years. There was a statistically significant correlation between work ability index and shift work.Conclusions.Unlike the previous study, a decrease point in WAI started in early age that may be due to life-style work and another psychological factor; on the other hand, NASA-TLX revealed high score in six subscales that can be another reason for low WAI.

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WORK ABILITY INDEX AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN WORKERS AT TRAKIA UNIVERSITY - STARA ZAGORA

Trakia Journal of Sciences ◽

10.15547/tjs.2020.s.01.012 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (Suppl.1) ◽

pp. 72-79

Author(s):

G. Sandeva ◽

V. Tsvetkova ◽

G. Prakova

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Work Ability ◽

Work Experience ◽

Clinical Teaching ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Teaching Staff ◽

Work Ability Index ◽

Age Related ◽

Ability Index

Demographic trends in the EU-27 show a gradual increase of the 55-64 age group (26% of the workforce). Natural aging is accompanied by complex age-related changes that lead to a progressive decrease in the body's adaptive capacity. The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a self-assessment tool for the physical and mental resources needed to perform various work activities. PURPOSE of this study was to determine WAI, musculoskeletal disorders and workplace risk factors for the employees of Trakia University, Stara Zagora. METHODS: A survey was performed using the WAI Questionnaire, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire, and a questionnaire on risk factors in the work environment. RESULTS: The total number of valid surveys was 513 (56.5% of all employees). Workers aged 55-64 had the highest share - 36.6%, followed by those aged 45-54 years (24.9%). The mean WAI score for all employees was good - 41.5. Clinical teaching staff had the highest mean WAI score (43.7), while preclinical tutors (40.9) and medical professionals (40.6) had the lowest. A significant negative correlation was found between WAI and age (r = -0.15; p <0.0005), as well as between WAI and work experience (r = -0.17; p <0.0003). Most common in the prevalence of reported diseases were musculoskeletal disorders (25.0%), followed by cardiovascular (14.69%) and gastrointestinal diseases (12.7%). Risk factor analysis showed that 55.9% of the respondents indicated using display screen equipment, 37.5% - frequent, repetitive hand movements, and 27.7% - working at a non-ergonomic workstation for at least half of the working time. CONCLUSION: The obtained results show good work ability of the employees at the university, but also the need for prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, which are mainly due to long work hours involving display screen equipment.

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Investigation of Correlation of Musculoskeletal Disorders With Work Ability Index and Allowable Load Lifting Limit

Journal of Ergonomics ◽

10.21859/joe-04043 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 14-23

Author(s):

Seyed Sajad Ataei ◽

Payam Heydari ◽

Sakineh Varmazyar

Keyword(s):

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Work Ability ◽

Work Ability Index ◽

Ability Index ◽

Allowable Load

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Clinical and functional aspects of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among active workers

Revista de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0034-89102008000100014 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 108-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Isabel A P Walsh ◽

Jorge Oishi ◽

Helenice J C Gil Coury

Keyword(s):

Sick Leave ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Work Ability ◽

Pain Scale ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Ability To Work ◽

Work Ability Index ◽

Ability Index

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate musculoskeletal disorders among active industrial workers. METHODS: The study was carried out in São Carlos, Southeastern Brazil, in 2005. One hundred and thirty-four female workers were physically evaluated and answered questions about their physical symptoms, filled out a pain scale and gave responses in the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, and the Work Ability Index questionnaire. The data were analyzed descriptively, and in correlation tests and through applying logistic regression. The outcome was evaluated in relation to the perceptions of pain, symptoms, physical assessment, ability to work and disability. RESULTS: Clinical evaluations and sick leave presented positive correlations with the subjective variables. The Work Ability Index presented a negative correlation with the physical disability index (r=-0.69). Symptoms reported at the time of the assessment presented a good correlation with the results from the pain scale and the clinical findings. Previous sick leave showed an association with disability (OR=1.13; 95% CI:1.08;1.18). CONCLUSION: Symptom reports and pain scales may be useful for assessing current conditions at the time of evaluating individuals with work-related musculoskeletal disorders, as they are easier to apply. In more severe cases of such injuries, clinical and functional evaluations and questionnaires such as those relating to ability to work and disability are preferable. Precise and specific evaluations of these disorders may contribute towards fairer legal and administrative decisions.

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

International Journal of Occupational Hygiene ◽

10.18502/ijoh.v13i2.8370 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

LEILA IBRAHIMI GHAVAMABADI1 ◽

BEHZAD FOULADI DEHAGHI ◽

BEHNOUSH JAFARI

Keyword(s):

Mental Disorders ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Shift Work ◽

Work Ability ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Work Ability Index ◽

Shift Workers ◽

Correlation Test ◽

Ability Index

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.

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