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.

Research on the Abilities of Community Education Study Tour Instructors

Community education study tour instructors are important action elements of community education tours. It is necessary to sort out the abilities of community education study tour instructors as well as construct a scientific and reasonable professional ability index system for community education study tour instructors, so as to promote the high-quality development of community education as well as the modernization of lifelong education governance system and governance ability. Based on the practice of community education in Jiangsu and the basic theory of pedagogy, this paper puts forward five core vocational abilities of community education, including travel education and teaching ability, curriculum development ability, management and research ability, training and guidance ability, as well as study tour guarantee ability. This paper attempts to sort out the ability of community education study tour instructors through research and analysis. A three-dimensional and multi-dimensional framework of community education instructors’ ability has been constructed to provide a path for the professional development of community education study tour instructors.

Title Psychometric Properties of the Work Ability Index in Health Centre Workers in Spain

The aim of the present study is to analyse the psychometric properties of the work ability index (WAI) within a sample of Spanish health centre workers. The WAI was translated into Spanish using transcultural and forward–backward translation processes and administered to 1184 Spanish health centre workers. Internal consistency, predictive validity, and discriminative ability were examined. Exploratory factor analysis, via principal components analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, determined the most appropriate questionnaire structure. All indices in relation to predictive validity and reliability were acceptable. Exploratory factor analysis supported validity of the one-factor structure, however, confirmatory factor analysis suggested better properties in relation to a two-factor structure (χ2 = 59.52; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.06). Items 3, 4, and 5 loaded onto factor one, and items 1, 2, 6, and 7 loaded onto factor two. The two factors could be broadly described as “subjectively estimated work ability” and “ill-health-related ability”. The WAI is valid and reliable when administered to health centre workers in Spain. In contrast to that suggested by studies conducted in other countries, future research and practical application with similar respondents and settings should proceed using the two-factor structure.

Perceived work situation and work ability among persons who are working one year after stroke

Objective: To explore how persons who have returned to work perceive their work situation and work ability one year after stroke. Design: Cross-sectional design. Subjects: A total of 88 persons of working age (mean age 52 (standard deviation; SD 8) years, 36% women), with mild to moderate disabilities following stroke, who had returned to work after one year [AQ14] participated in the study. Methods: A survey including a questionnaire regarding psychological and social factors at work (QPS Nordic) and 4 questions from the Work Ability Index (WAI) was posted to the participants. Results: According to the QPS Nordic survey, 69–94% of respondents perceived their work duties as well defined, and were content with their work performance. Most participants had good social support at work and at home. Between 51% and 64% of respondents reported that they seldom felt stressed at work, seldom had to work overtime, or that work demands interfered [AQ15] with family life. According to the WAI ≥75% of respondents perceived their work ability as sufficient, and they were rather [AQ3] sure that they would still be working 2 years hence. Conclusion: Persons who have returned to [AQ4] work one year after stroke appear to be content with their work situation and work ability. Appreciation at work, well-defined and meaningful work duties and support seem to be important for a sustainable work situation.

Investigating the effect of noise exposure on mental disorders and the work ability index among industrial workers

Noise as one of the most common hazardous physical agents in the work environment causes physical and psychological problems in occupied workers. This study aims to investigate the relationship of demographic variables and noise exposure with mental disorder and work ability index in automotive industry workers. This study aims to investigate the effect of noise exposure on mental disorder and work ability index among industry workers. In this descriptive-analytic study, 325 individuals working in auto parts supplier industry who were exposed to different level of noises were investigated. Personnel’s daily exposure to noise for each group was measured based on ISO-9612 standards using calibrated sound level meter model SVANTEK-971. Workers’ mental disorder and work ability index were determined using Kessler Psychological Distress Scale questionnaire and shortened form of work ability index, respectively. Then, collected data were analyzed using SPSS-22. The mean and standard deviation of mental disorder and work ability index for all employees was 23.46 ± 3.45 and 37.43 ± 6.14, respectively. The results of one-way ANOVA and linear regression analysis showed that there is a significant association between noise exposure with mental disorder and work ability index in term of age groups, working groups, and work experience ( p-value < .05). Regardless the effect of other variables, it can be stated that for each dB increase in noise exposure cause mental disorder increase by 0.32 and work ability index decrease by 0.157. And among the demographic variables, age was the most influential parameter on mental health and work ability index. According to the results of this study, noise exposure could lead to increased psychological distress and decreased work ability index in workers. The ability to work directly and indirectly through mental disorders can be affected by exposure to industrial noise. Considering severe exposure to noise in some units and the negative impact of noise exposure on mental health and work ability index, it is necessary to improve of controlling and protective measures against noise.

Effects of Different Doses of Gamma Rays on The Dispersal and Flight Ability Index of Mediterranean Fruit Fly Ceratitis Capitata (Wiedmann) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

This investigation concentrated on studying the effect of gamma rays on the flight ability index and on the dispersal of irradiated males because these two parameters were very important for applying the sterile male release technique. The results of this study showed that the flight ability index of irradiated males as pupae of 3, 4 and 5 days with doses ranged from 60 to 120 Gy were highly significant p<0.05 compared with control treatment during an experiment carried out under field conditions. The results showed that there were a reverse relationship between flight ability index and gamma rays doses. Furthermore, the results of this investigation also showed that there were a reverse relationship between the mean average of males captured by the pheromone traps and gamma rays doses after 1,2,3, and 4 days from the release.

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

The article's abstract is not available.

Workability of dentists working in state children's dental polyclinics

Introduction. A high level of workability of a doctor is an essential part of successful professional activity. The assessment of workability in combination with the study of working conditions, health status and quality of life of a specialist seems to be one of the actual areas of occupational health. The aim of the study was to analyze the workability of dentists providing medical care to children in state children’s dental polyclinics and children’s departments of state dental polyclinics providing medical care to adults in St. Petersburg. Materials and methods. A survey included 120 dentists using a standardized workability questionnaire. Workability was characterized by the level of current workability and workability index. Statistical data processing was carried out using SPSS 17.0 software. Results. The average values of current workability and workability index in the studied group of dentists are in the average (reduced) level - 6.1 ± 1.7 and 33.0 ± 5.3. The majority of doctors indicated the presence of certain health disorders, although 40% noted that their health will allow them to adequately fulfil their professional duties in the next two years. 62% of specialists were characterized by a good level of work motivation. From the total number of specialists, 68% had up to 9 days of disability per year. The group of dental surgeons did not have specialists with excellent work ability, and the proportion of doctors with good workability was half the size of others. 68% of doctors need to improve workability, and 11% need to restore it. Discussion. It is alarming that half of the specialists had a low (threatening) level of current work ability with average levels of current work ability and work ability index. Only 8.3% of doctors consider themselves absolutely healthy and capable of doing work without restrictions. Conclusion. The majority of dentists corresponds to average workability level. Workability indicators and the number of days of disability of dental surgeons are worse than those of orthodontists and pediatric dentists. The majority of doctors need to improve workability.