Factors Related to Work Ability of Nurses Working in Public Health Centers, Health Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration*

Abstract

Cross-sectional survey research was conducted to identify factors related to the work ability of nurses working in public health centers, Health Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The study sample was 310 professional nurses with ≥ 1 year experience working in public health centers, selected by stratified cluster random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using Chi-square for relationship analysis and logistic regression statistics.

Results showed that 57.1% of the nurses had work ability at a good level. Factors that significantly related to the work ability were duration of work in present position and exposure to chemical hazards at work. It was found that nurses who had a duration of work in their present position more than one year, and had been exposed to chemical hazards at a lower level, had better work ability than those who had work experience in present position ≤ 1 year, and had been exposed to chemical hazards at high levels (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.3-5.6, OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-4.3), respectively.

Findings suggest that in order to promote and maintain work ability, a policy and assessment procedure to help keep professional nurses working in their current positions for longer periods should be developed. The working environment which may affect health and the work ability of nurses should also be monitored.