title: Association between work ability and fatigue in Brazilian nursing workers.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Nursing Department, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo City, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabio José
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Nursing School, Professional Orientation Department, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo City, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vanda Elisa Andres
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Felli
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Center, Hospital Samaritano, Sao Paulo City, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Nursing School, General and Specialized Nursing Department, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto City, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vivian Aline
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Mininel
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Medical Department, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo City, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Paula Pelegrini
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ratier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D016272:Occupational Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Occupational health; nursing staff; work conditions; work organization; workload