Iran Occupational Health

Background and aims: Sleep disorders are among the most prevalent disorders today and especially in the industrial and developed countries. Their prevalence have been variable in different populations. The occurrence of these disorders in working population can cause occupational injuries and reduces the performance of the employees. It also can be hazardous. In this article, the association between sleep disorders and the work ability index are considered.

Methods:This was a cross-sectional study performed in a dairy company on all the employees in the year 2013. In this study, the StopBang questionnaire for assessment of the sleep apnea, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire for assessment of sleepiness, and the work ability index (WAI) for assessment of work ability were used. The gathered data from these questionnaires were analyzed in conjunction with the demographic data.

Results: In this study, 215 workers were finally considered. The associations between the three questionnaires (WAI, ESS, and STOP Bang) were statistically significant. There were also significant associations between age and WAI and STOP Bang; the level of education and ESS; work history and STOP Bang; smoking and all three questionnaires; pack-years of smoking and STOP Bang; and also the employee's body mass index (BMI) and STOP Bang. There was positive correlation between ESS and STOP Bang and both these questionnaires were negatively correlated with WAI.

conclusion:The results show a strong correlation between sleep disorders (sleepiness and sleep apnea) and the work ability index. It is important to consider the sleep hygiene and performance of screening for sleep disorders in the employees to reduce the irreversible injuries and associated problems and also reduce the problem of lowered productivity.