Factors Related to Work Ability among Rice Farmers in Nakhonpathom Province

Abstract

           Work ability is an essential factor for accomplishing work tasks, and it comprises human factors and work factors. Farmers are a part of the agricultural labor force having informal employment and working until their old age. Therefore, promoting work ability for farmers throughout their work-life is necessary so they can work as long as possible. This research aims to study factors associated with the work ability of farmers in Nakhonpathom province. Subjects included 380 farmers for this descriptive cross-sectional study, selected by multi-stage sampling. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires from October - December 2018 and were analyzed by binary logistic regression.

           The findings show that 61.1% of the farmers in Nakhonpathom had work ability at an acceptable level (Mean = 39.91, S.D. =4.10). Those with perceived good health could work more than eight times as the remaining group with poor health perception (Adjusted OR = 7.60, 95% CI = 2.44 - 23.58). Farmers with work experience of fewer than 25 years could work six times more than those with more experience (Adjusted OR = 6.18, 95% CI = 3.25 - 11.74). These two factors predicted 27.2% of the work ability of farmers at 27.2%.

           The results suggest that occupational health nurses and other health service staff should provide knowledge and create health promotion programs for farmers to be healthy through safety at work, reducing risk behaviors, and surveillance of occupational diseases. These kinds of programs would increase the ability of farmers to work longer and better.