Work ability and stress in a bus transportation company in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Challenges and Perspectives for Research on Work Ability in Professional Drivers: A Scoping Review

To review studies on work ability (WA) and its relationship with the biopsychosocial factors of professional drivers. We performed a scoping review of articles published until 2021, extracting location, study design, sample characteristics, transport category, WA assessment methods, and health-related factors. Eighteen studies were found in different transport categories around the world. Most of the studies were cross-sectional (15/18, 83%), in a single branch of professional drivers, and the Work Ability Index (WAI) appears as the most common assessment instrument (7/18, 39%). The characteristics of work organization, lack of physical activity, comorbidities, and psychosocial and ergonomic factors are associated with musculoskeletal symptoms and stress in professional drivers. Comparisons of WA and related factors between studies and professional drivers are limited due to the multiplicity of assessment methods.

Draft Methodology of the Age Management Implementation in Human Resource Management in a Transport Company

At present, companies should definitely be able to adapt to their environment. It entails being able to successfully predict and eliminate flaws and undesirable steps which may result in negative consequences. It can only be executed by careful consideration of three basic enterprise’s components which comprise the following: material resources, financial resources and human resources. An effective corporate coordination and human resource management is a cornerstone of the enterprise’s success while these components are of the same importance to this success. To this end, the aim of this manuscript is to design innovative recruitment procedures when using age management approach for a specific transport company; in particular, its human resource management is taken into consideration. In the initial parts of the manuscript, an analysis of quantitative and qualitative data is performed, wherein introduction into the addressed subject, relevant literature review, as well as description of utilized data and methods within the conducted research are elaborated. Consequently, in a case study section, the Work Ability Index (WAI) method is used to focus on the chosen group of employees in order to profoundly investigate their work abilities. The very examination of employees’ life cycle encompasses multiple age categories and measures a decrease in their work ability level. As for the ensuing (final) parts of the manuscript, a thorough evaluation of results obtained, appropriate discussion and, last but not least, conclusion section are compiled, in which the most imperative findings of the performed investigation are comprehensively summarized. Following the above, the purpose of this study is to compile a novel methodological procedure in terms of using the principles of age management in human resource management; specifically, in an opted transport company, and thus helping towards more effective and sustainable corporate recruitment strategy.

Factors associated with the work capacity of motorcycle taxi drivers

This study evaluated the work capacity of motorcycle taxi drivers and its association with sociodemographic and work and quality of life factors. This is a cross-sectional study realized with 392 motorcycle taxi drivers that used a form containing demographic and labor data, Work Capacity Index, the WHOQOL-bref. We employed a descriptive and inferential analysis. The moderate/good prevalence work capacity was 51%. Motorcycle taxi drivers aged 40 years and over recorded a 31% increase in low work capacity (PR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.07; 1.61) compared to younger workers. Motorcycle taxi drivers aged 21-29 and 30-39 years evidenced a higher median for absenteeism (p = 0.023) and self-prognosis regarding future work capacity (p < 0.001). A greater proportion of diseases diagnosed among those with five or more years of service (p = 0.003) and of self-prognosis in those with five years or less of service (p < 0.001) was observed. Motorcycle taxi drivers with moderate/good capacity showed better perception of quality of life in the physical realm (p < 0.001). Work capacity of motorcycle taxi drivers was associated with higher exposure to noxious factors that affect their quality of life and work force. Priority public policies and educational actions are required to minimize this exposure.

[Work ability and functional aging: a Systemic Analysis of the Literature using ProkNow-C (Knowledge Development Process - Constructivist)]

Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) data indicate that the elderly population of Brazil numbering 11% in 2003, will attain 33.7% by 2060. This aging process can be diagnosed from the capability workers possess for their labor activities. ProKnow-C was used to conduct the review, carrying out bibliometric and systemic analysis of the literature on the subject. The results led to the compilation of a portfolio with 29 papers, highlighting the most relevant journals, authors and keywords. Systemic analysis provided important results: survey methodology was applied on 26 papers, 21 of which were cross-sectional studies; in all the papers the WAI was associated with sociodemographic data; in 10 studies it was found that the work ability decreased while age increased and the practice of physical exercises was positively associated with the WAI in 11 studies. The results led to the perception that the WAI is an instrument that makes it possible to diagnose the situation of the working life of employees, and, in the case of low rates, the presence of early functional aging is detected. The study highlighted the importance of assessing aspects of the worker's social life, since these factors influence the work ability positively or negatively.

Using Work Ability Index and work-related stress to evaluate the physical and mental fitness of Iranian telecom tower climbers

Background:

Working at height has always been considered as one of the most dangerous industrial activities. Workers' fitness including their physical and psychological ability plays a key role in prevention of occupational accidents. This research was conducted to investigate the physical and mental fitness of telecommunication tower climbers as well as their job stress.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted among employees of a contracting company which worked in the field of telecommunication tower installation in Iran during 2016. Sixty out of 93 workers voluntarily participated in this study. Data collection tools were the Persian version of the Work Ability Index (WAI), the Persian version of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Stress Indicator Tool and an author-developed measure to assess socio-demographic characteristics. Data was analyzed through statistical tests such as independent t-test, univariate analyses of variance (ANOVAs), Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multivariate linear regression; using SPSS 19 software.

Results:

Workers' mean ± SD WAI score was 29.17± 10.33 and for work-related stress was 3.08 ± 1.80. There was a significant relation between WAI and educational level, job tenure, hours of sleep per day, regular exercise, and second job. The repression modeling explained 67.4% of the total variance (adjusted R2) of the WAI score. Among the dimensions of work related stress, control (β = 0.21) and changes (β = -0. 40) were significant predictors of the WAI score.

Conclusions:

To improve the worker’s work ability, intervention programs should focus on promoting level of job control, sleep quality and exercise. Additionally, implementing a comprehensive macroergonomics and participatory program for increase involvement the workers in organization changes should be considered.

Dangers on the road: A longitudinal examination of passenger-initiated violence against bus drivers

This study examined the impact of workplace violence against 109 bus drivers over a 1-year span. Workplace violence is related to both psychological and work-related consequences. Our findings showed that bus drivers experienced a wide range of violence at work and the psychological consequences were devastating: Half of the participants met the diagnostic criteria for acute stress disorder within the first month following the index event. Majority of them experienced at least moderate levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) problems over the 1-year span. About 9.3% of participants showed a delayed onset of PTSD 6 months after. Furthermore, counter-supportive behaviours and reexposure to violence played important roles in the maintenance of PTSD symptoms over time. Even though PTSD symptoms per se did not relate to bus driver's confidence in coping with aggressive passengers, the immediate post-traumatic reaction-symptoms of acute stress disorder-showed a significant long-term negative effect on bus drivers' confidence in dealing with aggressive passengers 12 months after. This study provided empirical evidence of the changing nature of PTSD symptoms over time among bus drivers.

Assessment of occupational stress and associated factors among bank employees in Vitoria, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil

Occupational stress has become a major cause of illness and a major risk to the psychological and social well-being of workers. In this context, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of occupational stress in employees of a banking network in the municipal region of Vitória, state of Espírito Santo, and its association with sociodemographic variables and work characteristics. This cross-sectional study involved 525 bank employees. Occupational stress was evaluated using the short version of the Job Stress Scale. A multivariate analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between the Karasek quadrants and the independent variables. It was found that most bank employees belonged to the "passive jobs" quadrant (34.4%, n = 179) and were considered to have an intermediate risk of occupational stress. Considering the "low demand jobs" category as the standard, the increased risk of stress was associated with low education levels (odds ratio, 3.69, 95% CI, 1.64-8.28), working in bank agencies (odds ratio, 2.55, 95% CI, 1.36-4.77), a length of employment at the bank of more than five years (odds ratio, 3.32, 95% CI, 1.89-5.81), a daily work period of six hours (odds ratio, 2.72, 95% CI, 1.27-5.81), and, mainly, low social support (odds ratio, 2.57, 95% CI 1.45- 4.56).

Work ability and associated factors of Brazilian technical-administrative workers in education

BACKGROUND

Studies about work ability have grown in importance owing to the worldwide aging of active populations. Research has shown that measuring work ability has a predictive value in cases of long-term sickness absence and early retirement. Our goal was to analyze the work ability and associated factors of civil servants from a higher education institution in Brazil. The participants in this cross-sectional study were 600 technical-administrative workers at a public university. Work ability was measured using the work ability index.

RESULTS

The participants were as follows: 51.8% male; mean age of 45 years (SD = ±11); married or in a stable union (61.5%); holding a graduate degree (56.7%); having only one job (83.3%), working 40 h a week or less (78.6%); not working evenings (79.8%); and having direct contact with the public (58.3%). The prevalence of reduced work ability was 13.9%. The following factors were found to be associated with reduced work ability: age 50 years old or above (PR = 2.58; 95% CI 1.25-5.09); female (PR = 2.77; 95% CI 1.25-3.60); education up to secondary school (PR = 2.37; 95% CI 1.13-3.59); overall poor self-assessed health (PR = 2.96; 95% CI 1.32-3.93); signs and symptoms of depression (PR = 4.86; 95% CI 2.23-6.55); sedentariness (PR = 3.00; 95% CI 1.38-4.68) and poor social support at work (PR = 4.01; 95% CI 1.66-4.37).

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the participants showed good work ability, but some subjects had reduced work ability. This study makes a contribution to expanding the discussion about the factors associated with work ability toward proposing actions for maintaining that ability or helping recovery in the case of diminished ability. Such actions can help reduce work absenteeism and early retirement, both of which have a social and economic impact in Brazil. Studying the determinants of work ability and recommendations to address those determinants will help efforts to improve the quality of life of individuals, both at work and personally, and promote healthy aging.

Capacidade para o trabalho de cirurgiões-dentistas da atenção básica: prevalência e fatores associados

Resumo Objetivo: avaliar os fatores associados à capacidade para o trabalho de cirurgiões-dentistas. Métodos: a amostra foi constituída por 167 cirurgiões-dentistas vinculados à Estratégia Saúde da Família. Foram aplicados questionários sobre a capacidade para o trabalho, dados sociodemográficos, caraterísticas relacionadas ao trabalho, aspectos de saúde autorreferidos, estilo de vida e fadiga. Na análise univariada utilizou-se a estatística descritiva; na bivariada, o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson, e, na multivariada, a regressão de Poisson. Resultados: 46,7% da amostra mostrou capacidade inadequada para o trabalho, sendo as variáveis independentes associadas: sexo feminino (RP=1,12; IC95%: 1,01-1,23), limpeza não adequada (RP=1,14; IC95%: 1,01-1,29), ambiente úmido (RP=1,35; IC95%: 1,15-1,59), ambiente de trabalho com muito barulho (RP=1,10; IC95%: 1,01-1,30), tarefas repetitivas e monótonas (RP=1,36; IC95%: 1,20-1,55), insatisfação com sono (RP=1,15; IC95%: 1,05-1,25), estado de saúde regular (RP=1,25; IC95%: 1,10-1,41), apresentar de uma a quatro morbidades diagnosticadas (RP=1,14; IC95%: 1,04-1,26), cinco ou mais morbidades (RP=1,52; IC95%: 1,38-1,70) e níveis altos de percepção de fadiga (RP=1,15; IC95%: 1,04-1,26). Conclusão: A amostra estudada apresentou incapacidade para o trabalho, que foi associada a fatores sociodemográficos, características do trabalho, aspectos de saúde e altos níveis de fadiga.

Work ability in nursing: relationship with psychological demands and control over the work

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the association between psychological demands, control over the work and the reduction of work ability of nursing professionals.

METHOD

this cross-sectional study involved 498 nursing professionals of a university hospital in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data collection was carried out in 2009 using the Brazilian versions of the Work Ability Index and Job Stress Scale, with logistic regression models used for the data analysis.

RESULTS

the prevalence of 43.3% for reduced work ability and 29.7% for high-strain in the job (high psychological demand and low control) were observed. The chances for professionals presenting reduced work ability under high-strain were higher and significant when compared to those classified as being under low-strain, even after adjusting for potential confounders, except for age and gender.

CONCLUSION

a high prevalence of reduced work ability was observed. This evidence indicates the need for investigation and detailed analysis of the psychosocial aspects of the professionals with regard to the health/disease process of nursing professionals.

Sintomas musculoesqueléticos em motoristas de ônibus: prevalência e fatores associados

INTRODUÇÃO: Os profissionais do transporte coletivo realizam atividades laborais que envolvem grande número de fatores de risco para acometimentos musculoesqueléticos, e o conhecimento desses riscos é fundamental para que esses trabalhadores possam gozar de boa qualidade de vida. OBJETIVOS: Verificar a prevalência dos sintomas musculoesqueléticos em motoristas de ônibus urbano e investigar fatores associados. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo transversal com 55 motoristas de uma empresa de uma cidade do estado de São Paulo, com a utilização de questionário muldimensional composto de variáveis demográficas, ocupacionais e hábitos de vida, assim como o Índice de Capacidade para o Trabalho e o Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares. RESULTADOS: Realizaram-se análises descritiva, bivariada e multivariada por regressão logística binária. Verificou-se que 65,7% dos trabalhadores relataram algum tipo de sintoma osteomuscular nos últimos 12 meses, localizados, principalmente, na região lombar (17,0%), ombros e joelhos (13,3%). Observou-se associação entre os sintomas e o baixo nível de escolaridade, a alta demanda psicológica, o sedentarismo e o baixo nível de capacidade para o trabalho. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de sintomas osteomusculares nos motoristas é alta, necessitando de ações de promoção à saúde.

Health behaviors and occupational stress of Brazilian civil servants living in an urban center

BACKGROUND

Occupational stress and unhealthy lifestyles are common characteristics of urban workers. The association between health behaviors and job stress of urban Brazilian civil servants was studied.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study included 893 workers. Health markers, the dependent variables, were: Fruit/vegetable (FV) and alcohol (A) intake, physical activity (PA), including at work (PAW), smoking (S), BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m(2). Occupational stress, assessed by Job Stress Scale-Brazilian version, classified employees into: High-strain, Low-strain, Active, and Passive. Prevalence rates and multivariate Poisson models were adopted.

RESULTS

On average, employees (mean age = 40.2 years; 69.1% female) reported healthy lifestyle factors: FV (56%); PA (59.7%); S (13.3%); however, 49.4% were overweight. Compared to low-strain, high-strain workers reported higher PAW; passive workers lesser PA and higher PAW. After adjusting for socio-demographics and work characteristics, the occupational stress dimensions were no longer associated to health behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results do not support the hypothesis of an effect for occupational stress on urban employees' health behaviors.