Maria Carmen Martinez

Fatores de risco para hipertensão arterial e diabete melito em trabalhadores de empresa metalúrgica e siderúrgica

OBJECTIVE To study the factors associated with arterial hypertension (AH) and diabetes mellitus (DM) in a metal and steel industrys workers with units in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, using a hierarchical risk model. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study. We obtained information on demographic, occupational and lifestyle variables, in addition to the lipid profile, fasting glycemia and blood pressure of 3,777 employees, and we carried out descriptive statistical analysis and hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The prevalence of AH was 24.7% and the hierarchical regression analysis indicated that male gender and age above 40 years presented statistically significant risk. Regardless of demographic characteristics, working in the metal industry, intense stress at work, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, body mass index above 25, altered cholesterol and altered triglycerides were associated with AH. The prevalence of DM was 11.5% and the hierarchical regression analysis indicated that male gender and age above 40 years presented statistically significant risk. Regardless of demographic characteristics, the same conditions were associated with DM. CONCLUSION The data evidenced that workers above 40 years are a priority for intervention actions aimed at improving the prevention of these two conditions. These actions should focus especially on eating habits and the practice of physical exercise, which could improve the control of obesity and of alterations in the lipid profile.

Saúde e capacidade para o trabalho em trabalhadores de área administrativa

OBJECTIVE: To identify dimensions of health associated with work ability and to verify whether such relationships are influenced by demographic or occupational characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out, including 224 employees of an employee health insurance and retirement savings company in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2001. Subjects responded to self-administered questionnaires evaluating demographic and occupational characteristics, job satisfaction, health, and work ability. Associations between variables were measured using Chi-square tests, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Occupational and demographic variables significantly associated with work ability were time in job (p=0.0423) and job satisfaction (p=0.0072). All dimensions of health evaluated were significantly associated with work ability (p<0.0001), and were independent of demographic and occupational characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that, independently of other characteristics, better physical and mental health are associated with greater work ability. This provides evidence of the importance of considering health in all its dimensions.

Capacidade para o trabalho: revisão de literatura

The aim of this article is to present a literature review on work ability and functional ageing. An extensive search of publications from 1966 to 2006 was conducted using the databases MEDLINE, LILACS and SciELO. Several aspects of work ability are presented in this manuscript: the historical context when the theme emerged, the theoretical framework, the determinant factors and an explanatory model, the current methodology to evaluate and monitor the work ability, the importance of its promotion. Highlights of the current situation about the research, practice and future perspectives regarding the theme are also discussed. In the context of the workforce aging, the work ability became an important indicator because their consequences to the workers health, well-being and employability, with impacts to the individuals, organizations and society. In spite of their relevance, there is a lack of attention to the issues about work ability and functional ageing.O objetivo deste trabalho e apresentar uma revisao de literatura sobre a capacidade para o trabalho de trabalho e envelhecimento funcional. Foi realizada uma extensa busca de publicacoes do periodo de 1966 a 2006, usando as bases de dados MEDLINE, Lilacs e SciELO. Sao apresentados varios aspectos relativos a capacidade para o trabalho: o contexto historico no qual o tema emergiu, o referencial teorico, os fatores determinantes, um modelo explicativo, a metodologia atual para avaliar e monitorar a capacidade para o trabalho e a importância de sua promocao. Tambem e destacada a situacao atual da pesquisa, pratica e perspectivas futuras relativas ao tema. No contexto do envelhecimento da forca de trabalho, a capacidade para o trabalho tornou-se um indicador importante em funcao de suas consequencias para a saude, bem-estar e empregabilidade dos trabalhadores, com impactos para os individuos, organizacoes e sociedade. As questoes sobre o tema, apesar de relevantes, ainda carecem de maior atencao.

Saúde e capacidade para o trabalho de eletricitários do Estado de São Paulo

The high risks for the health and work ability of the workers of the electricity sector notwithstanding, there is a lack of studies on this topic in Brazil. Our purpose is to identify the health and work ability profile of the workers of a private electricity company in Sao Paulo. A cross-sectional study analyzing 475 workers of a private electricity company was adopted and data were collected using structured questionnaires for measuring work ability, health status, work stress, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol dependence. The internal consistency of the questionnaires was evaluated using Cronbachs alpha. The descriptive analysis was conducted using means, standard deviations, minimum and maximum values (continuous variables) and proportions (categorical variables). The health of the workers was found in good conditions, showing means ranging between 72.7 a 91.2 (in a score of 0.0 to 100.0 points). Work ability scored high as well, with a mean value of 41.8 (in a score of 7.0 to 49.0 points). The workers presented good health and work ability. Longitudinal studies should be conducted for evaluating causal relationships and the existence of the healthy worker effect.

Fatores associados à capacidade para o trabalho de trabalhadores do Setor Elétrico

The Brazilian electric utility sector has recently undergone major industrial restructuring, with impacts on working conditions and work organization that could jeopardize the capacity for work. This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with labor capacity in a sample of 475 workers from an electric utility company in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. This cross-sectional study included descriptive and multiple linear regression analyses. The mean labor capacity index (LCI) was 41.8 points (on a scale from 7.0 to 49.0). Multiple regression showed that the factors that best explained LCI variability were work stress (p < 0.001) and physical health (p < 0.001 in all the dimensions). In a separate analysis, excluding all the health dimensions, the variables associated with LCI were work stress (p < 0.001), workplace (p = 0.022), physical activity (p = 0.001), alcohol consumption (p = 0.012), and body mass index (p < 0.001). The results highlighted aspects to be considered when developing measures to protect labor capacity, with an emphasis on stress prevention and health promotion.

Individual features, working conditions and work injuries are associated with work ability among nursing professionals

OBJECTIVE To investigate factors associated with work ability among nursing professionals. PARTICIPANTS They comprised 514 nursing professionals (83.8% of the total number of workers) from a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS In 2009, we conducted a cross-sectional study that was a part of a 5-year planned cohort study initiated in 2008. We administered a comprehensive questionnaire to the participants in order to obtain data on their sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles, and working conditions. The questionnaire also contained the Brazilian versions of the following: the Job Stress Scale (JSS), Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) Questionnaire, Work-Related Activities That May Contribute To Job-Related Pain and/or Injury (WRAPI), and Work Ability Index (WAI). The results were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS On the WAI, 74.9% of the workers obtained a score of over 40 points (score range 7-49); the mean score was 42.3 points (SD=4.5). The final multivariate model showed that lower WAI scores were related to the work-related outcome, which was work injury, and the following individual characteristics and working conditions: body mass index (p=0.001), sex (female; p=0.002), sedentariness (p < 0.001), time in the profession (p=0.005), social support at work (p=0.003), effort-reward ratio (p=0.001), violence at work (p=0.005), WRAPI score (p < 0.001), and work injuries (yes; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Various factors were associated with work ability. The results showed that a number of variables should be considered when planning and implementing actions to maintain or improve work ability among nursing professionals.

Association between work ability and fatigue in Brazilian nursing workers

BACKGROUND Impaired work ability is associated with work-related illnesses, early retirement and rising pension costs. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between work ability and fatigue in nursing workers. METHODS Cross-sectional study conducted with 100 nursing workers from two inpatient units at a public teaching hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The data were collected by means of a socio-demographic profile questionnaire, Work Ability Index (WAI) and Chalder Fatigue Scale. The data were analyzed by means of descriptive and analytical statistical methods, tests of association and multiple linear regression. RESULTS The study population was mainly composed of women (88% ), exhibited a high educational level (76% ), average age 39.4 years old (SD = 9.5) and 15 years of professional experience, on average. The average score on WAI was good (39.4 points, SD = 6.0) but surprisingly, 35% of the participants exhibited moderate to poor work ability. Fatigue was found in 52% of the participants. The score on WAI decreased in association with fatigue (p <  0.001) and longer length of work in the same workplace (p = 0.001), as well as among nursing technicians compared to nurses (p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS Fatigue, longer length of work in the same workplace and work category nursing technician were associated with decreased work ability, which emphasizes the need for investment in health and quality of work life.

Work ability among hospital food service professionals: multiple associated variables require comprehensive intervention

The work of hospital food service is characterized by demands that can be associated with work ability--WA. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with WA among hospital food service professionals and recommend intervention measures. This is a cross sectional study carried out in 2009, conducted in a hospital of São Paulo, Brazil. Participants were 76 (96.2%) of the eligible. They filled out a questionnaire including socio-demographic data, life styles, working conditions and WA. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. Factors associated with WA were age (p = 0.051), over commitment (p = 0.011), effort-reward ratio (p = 0.002) and work injuries (p < 0.001). In spite was a young population, age was associated with WA. Association with work injuries is consistent with the theoretical model that demonstrated that health status is the basis to maintain the WA. The association of effort-reward imbalance shows that issues related with work organization are relevant for these workers. The association of overcommittment suggests that workers recognize their responsibility with the therapeutic processes of patients. Results showed a number of features of different nature that should be taken into account when implementing measures to improve the WA, to be applied at different levels: individual, task and institutional.

Transcultural adaptation of the Johns Hopkins Fall Risk Assessment Tool

Objetivo: realizar a adaptacao transcultural para uso no Brasil e a avaliacao da validade de conteudo da Johns Hopkins Fall Risk Assessment Tool para avaliacao de risco de quedas e de danos por quedas em pacientes adultos hospitalizados. Metodo: adaptacao transcultural consistiu na traducao da escala para a lingua portuguesa (Brasil), retrotraducao para a lingua de origem, versao de consenso e analise da equivalencia transcultural por um comite de especialistas. A avaliacao do conteudo foi realizada por meio de um comite de juizes, finalizando com o calculo do indice de validade de conteudo dos itens e da escala. Foi realizada a aplicacao experimental do instrumento por enfermeiros. Resultados: a versao traduzida da escala passou por duas rodadas de avaliacao pelos juizes, a partir das quais os itens com desempenho insatisfatorio foram modificados. O indice de validade de conteudo para itens foi ≥80,0% e o global foi 97,1%. A aplicacao experimental mostrou que a escala e de facil operacionalizacao. Conclusao: a escala demonstrou conteudo valido para a avaliacao de risco de quedas e de danos por quedas e ser de facil operacionalizacao, podendo contribuir para a adequada identificacao dos riscos e consequente direcionamento de acoes assistenciais.

Testing the "Work Ability House" Model in hospital workers

OBJECTIVE To test the Work Ability House model, verifying the hierarchy of proposed dimensions, among a group of hospital workers. METHODS A cohort study (2009-2011) was conducted with a sample of 599 workers from a hospital in the city of São Paulo. A questionnaire including sociodemographics, lifestyle and working conditions was used. The Brazilian versions of Job Stress Scale, Effort-Reward Imbalance, Work-Related Activities That May Contribute To Job-Related Pain and/or Injury, and the Work Ability Index (WAI) were also used. A hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed: the independent variables were allocated into levels according to the dimensions of the theoretical model in order to evaluate the factors associated with work ability. RESULTS Variables associated with impairment of work ability in each dimension were as follows: (a) sociodemographics: age < 30 years (p = 0.20), (b) health: without report of occurrence of work injuries (p = 0.029), (c) professional competence: low educational level (p = 0.008), (d) values : intensified in overcommitment (p < 0.001), and (e) work: intensification of effort-reward imbalance (p = 0.009) and high demands (p = 0.040). CONCLUSION The results confirmed the dimensions proposed for the Work Ability House model, indicating that it is valid as a representation of a multidimensional construct of multifactorial determination and can be used in the management of work ability.