Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

en The Association between Severity of Menopausal Symptoms and Work Ability Index among University Staff Occupational Health Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Some menopausal symptoms can negatively affect people's daily activities. The work ability index (WAI) investigates employees at risk of work-related disabilities. The current study, conducted at Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, evaluated the association between the severity of symptoms during the menopausal transition and the work ability index. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive study, 170 female subjects in the age range of menopause transition (42 to 54 years) were selected from the list of female employees at Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, using the simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a socio-demographic characteristics form, the work ability questionnaire, and the severity of menopause symptoms questionnaire. Finally, the data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22). ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient were applied for data analysis. Results: The mean±SD of the WAI score was 38.88±6.55. The mean ± SD of intensity of physical, mental, and urogenital menopausal symptoms were 7.44±2.96, 6.46±2.67, and 5.32±2.30, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between menopausal symptom severity and work ability was significantly negative (p<0.001, r=-0.418). Conclusion: The reduced work ability of female employees may cause increased absenteeism, additional costs for the employer, reduced employee productivity, and increased production costs, especially in the industry and service sectors.</div> Menopause,Work,Ability 25 32 http://johe.rums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-491-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Nasim Khajavian 22400319475328460010491 22400319475328460010491 No M.Sc. in Biostatistics, Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran. Maryam Ranjbar 22400319475328460010492 22400319475328460010492 No Student in Medical Doctor, Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Gonabad, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Maryam Moaven Saeidi mmoavensaidi@yahoo.com 0919343491 22400319475328460010493 Yes Assistant Prof., Dept. of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Research Development Unit, Allameh Bohlool Gonabadi Hospital, Gonabad, Iran. Allameh Bohlool Gonabadi Hospital Narjes Bahri 22400319475328460010494 22400319475328460010494 No Associate Prof., Dept. of Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Social Determinants of and Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran