Work Ability and Its Related Factors among Workers in Small and Medium Enterprises: Comparison among Four ASEAN Countries

Orawan Kaewboonchoo, Marzuki Isahak, Indri Susilowati, Toai Nguyen Phuong, Ikuharu Morioka, Kitiphong Harncharoen, Wah Yun Low, Paul Ratanasiripong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Work ability is related to many factors that might influence one's capacity to work. This study aimed to examine the work ability and its related factors among small and medium enterprises (SME) workers in 4 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. The participants in this study included 2098 workers from food and textile industries in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. A cross-sectional survey of anonymous self-administrated questionnaire was designed to collect information on sociodemographic factors, work environment and ergonomic condition, musculoskeletal disorders, and work ability. Bivariate correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analyses were used to predict the work ability. Results of this study confirm that work ability in 4 ASEAN countries was similar to that in European countries, and that the sociodemographic factors, work environment and ergonomic condition, and musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) were associated with work ability. These factors are important for considering occupational health and safety policy to promote work ability in food, textile, and other SME workers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)438-449
Number of pages12
JournalAsia-Pacific Journal of Public Health
Volume28
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2016

Keywords

  • ASEAN
  • ergonomic
  • occupational health
  • small and medium enterprises (SME)
  • work ability
  • work environment

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Work Ability and Its Related Factors among Workers in Small and Medium Enterprises: Comparison among Four ASEAN Countries'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this