Work Ability among Italian Bank Video Display Terminal Operators: Socio-Demographic, Lifestyle, and Occupational Correlates

Giacomo Garzaro, Ilaria Sottimano, Matteo Di Maso, Enrico Bergamaschi, Maurizio Coggiola, Daniela Converso, Sergio Iavicoli, Enrico Pira and Sara Viotti
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Giacomo Garzaro: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, P.zza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
Ilaria Sottimano: Department of Psychology, University of Turin, via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy
Matteo Di Maso: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, P.zza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
Enrico Bergamaschi: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, P.zza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
Maurizio Coggiola: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, P.zza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
Daniela Converso: Department of Psychology, University of Turin, via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy
Sergio Iavicoli: National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work, P.le Pastore 6, 00144 Rome, Italy
Enrico Pira: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, P.zza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
Sara Viotti: Department of Psychology, University of Turin, via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: Bank employees, especially video display terminal (VDT) operators, are constantly exposed to various occupational risks, such as the adoption of awkward postures, repetitive finger movements, and utilization of software with poor usability, which may lead to computer visual syndrome, tension headache, lower back pain, and/or stress, which compromises their overall health and work ability (WA). Thus, in this cross-sectional study, we aimed to establish that the determinants among socio-demographic, lifestyle, and occupational characteristics are associated with impaired WA in bank VDT operators. To this end, we administered a set of socio-demographic, lifestyle, occupational, and Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaires to 2077 Italian bank VDT operators. Univariate linear regression models reveal that their mean WAI score is inversely associated with gender, age, dependent family members, and a part-time job, whereas it is directly associated with the educational level and physical activity. In addition, multivariate analysis shows that their mean WAI score is inversely associated with age and a part-time job, but was directly associated with the educational level, the marital status, and physical activity. Overall, VDT operators working in Italian banks display high WA even though this latter tends to decline with aging. In light of the progressive aging of the workforce in Italy, our results provide the rationale for the design of interventions aimed to mitigate the detrimental effects of aging on WA of bank VDT operators.

Keywords: work ability; video display terminal operators; aging; lifestyle; occupational health; cross-sectional study; banking sector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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