Linking health-related quality of life to labor supply: a study of nurses in Western Iran.

BACKGROUND

Understanding the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and labor supply is essential for developing effective policies to improve nurses' working conditions. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the HRQoL of nurses and explore how HRQoL influences their labor supply.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 577 nurses working in seven public hospitals in Kermanshah city through multistage sampling. Data collection was conducted using a two-part self-administered questionnaire from September 20 to November 15, 2024. The first section aimed to gather information on nurses' labor supply and included 22 items related to sociodemographic, economic, and non-economic factors. The second section comprised the EuroQoL 5 dimensions (EQ-5D) with a five-level scoring system and the EuroQoL visual analog scale (EQ-VAS). A multiple linear regression model was employed to explore the association between HRQoL scores and nurses' labor supply among the study participants.

RESULTS

The study found that the average weekly working hours for nurses across all medical centers were 47.9 h, while the average at the main hospital was 45.9 h. The mean health-related quality of life (HRQoL) score among the nurses was 0.76 ± 0.23, and the average EQ-VAS score was 74.4 ± 18.9. Our study across the five dimensions of the EQ-5D-5 L indicated that the percentages of nurses reporting no problems were 78.2% for mobility, 97.1% for self-care, 81.3% for usual activities, 47.5% for pain/discomfort, and 37.4% for anxiety/depression. The analysis revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between HRQoL and the labor supply of nurses, indicated by a HRQoL score coefficient of 3.692 (p = 0.046), although this significance is marginally close to the threshold. Additionally, the EQ-VAS score demonstrated a positive association, nearing significance at the 10% level, with a coefficient of 4.095 (p = 0.060). These findings suggest that a higher HRQoL is associated with an increased labor supply among nurses.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the positive relationship between HRQoL and nurses' labor supply in Iran. Understanding this relationship is essential for developing effective strategies that can help mitigate nursing shortages and improve working conditions for nursing professionals.