ORIGINAL PAPER
Work ability of aging teachers in Bulgaria
More details
Hide details
1
National Center of Public Health and Analyses, Sofia, Bulgaria (Department “Health at Work”)
Online publication date: 2018-06-08
Corresponding author
Katya Vangelova
National Center of Public Health and Analyses, Department “Health at Work”, 15 Acad. Iv. Ev. Geshov Boul., 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2018;31(5):593-602
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The work ability of aging teachers is of special interest because of high risk of stress. The aim of the study
was to follow the work ability of aging teachers and compare it with that of aging non-teacher professionals. Material and Methods: The study included 424 teachers of age ≤ 44 years old (N = 140) and ≥ 45 years old (N = 284), with
about 10% male teachers in both age groups, matched by sex and age with non-teacher professionals. Work ability was
assessed by means of the Work Ability Index (WAI). Chi2 tests and regression analyses were used for studying WAI scales
ratings, diagnosed by physician diseases and WAI ratings. Results: Our data shows comparatively high work ability for both
age groups of teachers but WAI of aging teachers was significantly lower in comparison to their younger colleagues as well
as aging non-teacher professionals. About 80% of aging groups reported diseases diagnosed by physicians. Cardiovascular,
musculoskeletal and respiratory diseases were the most frequently reported by aging teachers, while teachers ≤ 44 years
old reported respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and sensory diseases. With aging significantly higher rates of arterial
hypertension, diabetes, injury to hearing and mental disorders were reported by teachers as compared to aging non-teacher
professionals. The rates of reported repeated infections of respiratory tracts were high in both age groups of teachers,
especially in the group of aging teachers. The estimated work ability impairment due to the disease showed the significant
effect of aging for teachers as well as the significant difference when comparing aging teachers and non-teacher professionals. Conclusions: Our data shows high work ability for both age groups of teachers but significantly lower for aging teachers
accompanied with higher rates of psychosomatic diseases, including hearing impairment and respiratory diseases. Preservation
of teacher health could contribute to maintenance of their work ability and retention in the labor market. Int J Occup
Med Environ Health 2018;31(5):593–602