[Functional capacity evaluation of nursing professionals].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the functional capacity of nursing staff in a hospital complex and its association with individual and work characteristics.


METHODS
A cross-sectional comprising 885 subjects was carried out. A standardized self-administered questionnaire was used to calculate a work capacity index based on information regarding occupation, morbidity, demographic and socioeconomic data. Odds ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated using the Chi-square test. A multiple logistic model was used for testing the associations and adjusted odds ratios were obtained.


RESULTS
The study population included primarily women (87.3%), aged between 35 and 68 years (43+/-6.3 on average), who worked as nursing aides, technical-level professionals and nurses in seven hospital units that integrate the hospital complex. Work capacity was considered good in over 80% of the staff. Statistical analyses showed that those with higher schooling (OR=0.4; CI=0.2-1.0; p=0.05 and adjOR= 0.4; CI: 0.2-1.0; p=0.04) and who exercise and have some physical activity (OR=0.5; CI: 0.3-0.9; p=0.02 and adjOR: 0.5; CI: 0.3-0.9, p=0.02) are more likely to have good work capacity. Those with reduced work capacity were found to have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
The company's worker health program should include guidance and follow-up of nursing staff regarding their physical and leisure activities aiming at promoting good work capacity as well as implementing preventive measures against musculoskeletal diseases.
Raffone
Adriana Maisonnave
AM
Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, Brasil. raffone@terra.com.br
Hennington
Elida Azevedo
EA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D016272:Occupational Health; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D016526:Workload