Work Ability of Health Care Shift Workers: What Matters?

Abstract

This paper aims at identifying variables associated with inadequate work ability among nursing personnel at a public hospital, considering factors related to socio-demographic, lifestyles, working conditions, and health outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, as part of a larger research study on tolerance to 12 h night work. Nursing staff included registered nurses, nurse technicians, and nurse aides; in total, there were 996 healthcare workers (878 female; 118 male) at the time of the study. Some 696 workers (69.9%) of the population agreed to participate. Data collection (October 2004-July 2005) was based on a comprehensive questionnaire about living and working conditions (including incivility at work, work demands, work control, and support), mental and physical health symptoms (fatigue and sleep problems), and work ability. This report presents analyses of the adapted Brazilian version of the Work Ability Index (WAI) and associated variables. The study population worked one of the following shift schedules at this hospital: 12 h nights followed by 36 h off or 9 h or 6 h day (morning or afternoon) shifts. The mean age of the respondents was 34.9 (S.D.+/-10.4) years of age; 31.5% of the participants held two jobs. Statistical analyses using a hierarchical multiple logistic regression model were performed to evaluate the factors associated with inadequate (moderate and low scores) of the WAI. The significantly associated factors were socio-demographic (income responsibility, sole breadwinner, raising kids, age group), working conditions (thermal discomfort, organization of the workplace, and verbal abuse), and health outcomes (high body mass index, obesity, sleep problems, and fatigue). In spite of limitations of the study design, results indicate that the nursing profession is associated with stressful working conditions, contributing to inadequate WAI. This is in addition to bad living conditions and precarious work. Intervention measures, either at the workplace or at individual levels, are necessary to prevent a decrease in work ability, even in this quite young working population.

Validade e confiabilidade da versão brasileira do Índice de Capacidade para o Trabalho

“…5 The socio-occupational profi le of the population of the present study differs from that of the general population in that our subjects have higher levels of schooling and income, are relatively younger, and perform predominantly physical and mental activities. The fi nal mean WAI score was 41.8 points, indicating a high level of work ability, although this result is subject to the "healthy worker" bias.…”

“…18 Since its adaptation for use in Brazil in the late 1990's, the WAI questionnaire has been employed in several population-based surveys. 1,5,13,19 However, the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version have not yet been investigated.…”

Jornadas de trabalho na enfermagem: entre necessidades individuais e condições de trabalho

“…There were no statistical differences between those who accepted to participate and others who did not in terms of sex, age and length of time working in the hospital, thus suggesting homogeneity between these groups. 9 The group of professionals studied included a high number of individuals with two jobs and/or long professional work hours. 9 Data collection was performed by a trained technical professional with a higher education level and based on a set of self-completed questionnaires.…”

“…9 The group of professionals studied included a high number of individuals with two jobs and/or long professional work hours. 9 Data collection was performed by a trained technical professional with a higher education level and based on a set of self-completed questionnaires. The following aspects were considered in the present study: sociodemographic information; living and working condition aspects; and the Job Stress Scale, 1 Effort Reward Imbalance, 7 Medical Outcomes Study 36 Item ShortForm Health Survey 8 and Work Ability Index (WAI) a questionnaires, previously translated and adapted to the Portuguese language.…”

“…Scores lower than 37 were categorized as an inadequate ability to work. 9 The work hours were estimated according to information about the number of nursing jobs and working hours in each job, during one week. A cut-off point of 44 hours was used, as established by the Brazilian Constitution.…”