Multiple dimensions of work-related risk factors and their relationship to work ability among industrial workers in Iran.
OBJECTIVES
The present study was designed to investigate the simultaneous effects of physical, psychosocial and other work-related risk factors on the work ability index (WAI) score among industrial workers.


METHODS
This study used a cross-sectional design with a questionnaire survey. A total of 280 workers were included in the study. Data were collected using three questionnaires including the Persian version of the WAI, the Persian version of the job content questionnaire and an author-developed measure (to assess work-related factors, health-related factors and socio-demographic characteristics).


RESULTS
The majority of the participants were young, but they had poor WAI scores (mean 37.3 ± 6.4) and 44.3% of them had poor or moderate work ability. Occupational accidents and injuries were found to be the strongest predictors of WAI scores. Additionally, there was a strong association between WAI scores and supervisor support, skill discretion, occupational training, sleep quality, work nature and educational level.


CONCLUSIONS
Intervention programs should focus on improving supervisor support, sleep quality, job skills and knowledge and on decreasing physical and mental work demands. Additionally, implementing a comprehensive occupational health and ergonomics program for controlling and reducing hazardous working environments and occupational injury rates should be considered.
['Mokarami|Hamidreza|H|', 'Mortazavi|Seyed Bagher|SB|', 'Asgari|Ali|A|', 'Choobineh|Alireza|A|', 'Stallones|Lorann|L|']
D000062:Accidents, Occupational D000328:Adult D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007221:Industry D007492:Iran D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D060051:Occupational Injuries D012044:Regression Analysis D012307:Risk Factors D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D014937:Work D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation D000066477:Work Performance
work-related risk factors industrial workers work ability index job content questionnaire psychosocial factors