Karttunen J P, Rautiainen R H
TTS Research, Rajamaki, Finland.
J Agric Saf Health. 2009 Oct;15(4):353-64. doi: 10.13031/2013.28889.
Full-time farmers and particularly dairy farmers who plan to expand their production have voiced concerns about their physical and mental work ability in recent studies. The objectives of this study were to characterize the work ability of dairy farmers and to identify demographic groups at risk of disability and in greatest need of interventions to promote work ability. We conducted a postal survey using the Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire. The WAI of 399 dairy farmers (245 female and 154 male) was analyzed (response rate 41.5%). The mean WAI score was 36.0 among female and 39.0 among male respondents (scale: 7 = worst to 49 = best). The WAI decreased with age. The WAI was systematically better among males compared to females in all age groups, and the difference was greatest among those over 45 years of age. About one-fourth of females and one-tenth of males over 45 years of age were at an imminent risk of disability (poor WAI). The WAI of farmers in our study was similar to farmers in previous studies where entrepreneurs and salaried workers had better WAI compared to farmers. This study indicates that interventions are needed among older dairy farmers, particularly females, to help them improve their work ability. The first question (of seven) in the WAI questionnaire correlated well with the complete questionnaire-based WAI. The first question could be used in surveys as a condensed version of the WAI, if the same correlation is found in future studies. Based on this study, we recommend using the Work Ability Index questionnaire for assessing the health of those working in agriculture.
全职农民，尤其是计划扩大生产规模的奶农，在最近的研究中表达了对自身身心工作能力的担忧。本研究的目的是描述奶农的工作能力，并确定有残疾风险以及最需要促进工作能力干预措施的人群。我们使用工作能力指数（WAI）问卷进行了一项邮寄调查。分析了399名奶农（245名女性和154名男性）的WAI（回复率41.5%）。女性受访者的WAI平均得分为36.0，男性受访者为39.0（范围：7 = 最差至49 = 最佳）。WAI随着年龄的增长而下降。在所有年龄组中，男性的WAI系统性地优于女性，45岁以上人群的差异最大。45岁以上的女性中约四分之一以及男性中约十分之一面临即将残疾的风险（WAI较差）。我们研究中农民的WAI与之前研究中的农民相似，在之前的研究中，企业家和受薪工人的WAI比农民更好。这项研究表明，需要对老年奶农，尤其是女性进行干预，以帮助他们提高工作能力。WAI问卷中的第一个问题（共七个问题）与基于完整问卷的WAI相关性良好。如果在未来研究中发现相同的相关性，第一个问题可作为WAI的精简版用于调查。基于本研究，我们建议使用工作能力指数问卷来评估农业从业者的健康状况。
