Work ability of aging teachers in Bulgaria
Journal Title: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health - Year 2018, Vol 31, Issue 5
Abstract
Objectives: The work ability of aging teachers is of special interest because of high risk of stress. The aim of the study was to follow the work ability of aging teachers and compare it with that of aging non-teacher professionals. Material and Methods: The study included 424 teachers of age ≤ 44 years old (N = 140) and ≥ 45 years old (N = 284), with about 10% male teachers in both age groups, matched by sex and age with non-teacher professionals. Work ability was assessed by means of the Work Ability Index (WAI). Chi2 tests and regression analyses were used for studying WAI scales ratings, diagnosed by physician diseases and WAI ratings. Results: Our data shows comparatively high work ability for both age groups of teachers but WAI of aging teachers was significantly lower in comparison to their younger colleagues as well as aging non-teacher professionals. About 80% of aging groups reported diseases diagnosed by physicians. Cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and respiratory diseases were the most frequently reported by aging teachers, while teachers ≤ 44 years old reported respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and sensory diseases. With aging significantly higher rates of arterial hypertension, diabetes, injury to hearing and mental disorders were reported by teachers as compared to aging non-teacher professionals. The rates of reported repeated infections of respiratory tracts were high in both age groups of teachers, especially in the group of aging teachers. The estimated work ability impairment due to the disease showed the significant effect of aging for teachers as well as the significant difference when comparing aging teachers and non-teacher professionals. Conclusions: Our data shows high work ability for both age groups of teachers but significantly lower for aging teachers accompanied with higher rates of psychosomatic diseases, including hearing impairment and respiratory diseases. Preservation of teacher health could contribute to maintenance of their work ability and retention in the labor market. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(5):593–602
Authors and Affiliations
Katya Vangelova, Irina Dimitrova, Bistra Tzenova
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP407543
- DOI 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01132
- Views 100
- Downloads 0
Pleural mesothelioma in household members of asbestos-exposed workers in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Objectives: Malignant mesothelioma is closely associated to asbestos exposure. One such exposure may occur through contact with occupationally exposed household members and their belongings. This study examines the featu...
Trends in smoking among secondary school and high school students in Poland, 2009 and 2011
Objectives: To determine the age and the most common circumstances for smoking initiation along with smoking rates and to evaluate smoking trends for secondary and high school students in Poland during 2009 and 2011. Mat...
The effect of prenatal exposure on disposition of hexachloronaphthalene in female Wistar rats and fetal compartment
Objectives: Due to structural and toxicological similarities to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were included in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (...
RESIDENTIAL PROXIMITY TO ENVIRONMENTAL SOURCES OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
[b]Objectives:[/b] Environmental exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been associated with an increased risk of both acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and diabetes mellitus (DM). A study of first-time hos...
OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA DUE TO MANGANESE EXPOSURE: A CASE REPORT
Manganese belongs to a group of agents called “transitional metals” that are known to induce occupational asthma. How ever, well-documented cases of manganese-induced asthma have been lacking thus far. We have discussed...