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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 16-08-2023 | Original Article

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

Authors: Federico Ronchese, Francesca Ricci, Giulia Peccolo, Benedetta Persechino, Bruna Maria Rondinone, Giuliana Buresti, Corrado Negro, Massimo Bovenzi, Andrea Miani

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 8/2023

Abstract

Purpose

Work 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).

Methods

A 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.

Results

The 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.

Conclusions

The 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.

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Title: Relation of the work ability index to fitness for work in healthcare and public employees in a region of Northeastern Italy
Authors: Federico Ronchese
Francesca Ricci
Giulia Peccolo
Benedetta Persechino
Bruna Maria Rondinone
Giuliana Buresti
Corrado Negro
Massimo Bovenzi
Andrea Miani
Publication date: 16-08-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 8/2023
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-023-02001-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

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

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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