A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Factors associated with quality of life and work ability among Finnish municipal employees: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Elina Bergman, Eliisa Löyttyniemi, Saana Myllyntausta, Päivi Rautava, Päivi Elina Korhonen,
Publisher: BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP
Publication year: 2020
Journal: BMJ Open
Journal name in source: BMJ OPEN
Journal acronym: BMJ OPEN
Article number: ARTN e035544
Volume: 10
Issue: 9
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 2044-6055
eISSN: 2044-6055
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035544
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/50627015
Objectives Quality of life (QoL) and work ability are elementary parts in defining the well-being of an employed person. The aim of this study was to demonstrate factors associated with QoL and self-reported work ability among public sector employees, while taking into account several confounding factors, including sleep quality, occupational stress and psychological symptoms. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Finland among 710 employees (89% women, mean age 49 (SD=10) years) from 10 municipal work units in 2015. Information about the participants was collected by physical examination, self-administered questionnaire and from medical history. QoL was assessed with the EUROHIS-Quality of Life 8-item index and work ability with the Work Ability Score (WAS). Results The EUROHIS-QOL mean score among all participants was 4.07 (95% CI 4.03 to 4.11). QoL was positively associated with good sleep quality, cohabiting, university-level education and lower body mass index (BMI), and negatively associated with occupational stress, depression and/or anxiety and disease burden. Work ability was reported good or excellent by 80% of the participants and the WAS mean score among all participants was 8.31 (95% CI 8.21 to 8.41). Work ability was positively associated with good sleep quality, younger age, lower BMI and university-level education, and negatively associated with occupational stress and disease burden. Conclusions Occupational stress and self-reported sleep quality were strongly associated with both QoL and work ability among Finnish public sector employees. These findings highlight the need for screening and handling of work stress and sleep problems in occupational and primary healthcare.
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