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Background: The Work Ability Index (WAI) is an instrument that measures work ability. The wide dispersion of the WAI internationally has led to its adaptation for use in different countries. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the WAI. Methods: A methodological design was used over an opportunistic sample of 233 workers in the aeronautical industry in Spain. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency. Factorial validity, known groups, and convergent validity were tested. Results: The Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation indicated an adequate internal consistency. The confirmatory factor analysis, performed to evaluate the factorial validity, found adequate fit indices for a two-factor solution with a high correlation between the factors. Factor 1, "Subjectively estimated work ability and resources", was composed of 3 subscales and factor 2, "Ill-health-related", of 2 subscales. Subscales 4 and 6 had loading in both factors. Workers under 45 years of age obtained higher significant scores than older ones. Convergent validity was also evidenced since WAI was highly correlated with self-assessment of health status. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the WAI has shown evidence of reliability and validity in this study, supporting its use in individual and collective health surveillance by occupational health professionals. The factorial solution that was found has previously been reported in another international context. However, further research is needed to resolve the discrepancies detected in the role of some subscales between other national and international studies.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The mobility of workers to other countries in a globalized work world has posed an added risk in the current pandemy of COVID-19 and can carry with it an increased risk of spread and transmission of the disease. The collaboration of the Occupational Health Units of the companies and the Health Authorities has been fundamental in the investigation of COVID-19 outbreaks secondary to international travel of workers on mission. The objective of this study was to describe the process of detection and follow-up of cases in an outbreak of COVID-19 in repatriated workers after a six-month mission in a factory of aircraft components in Poland. METHODS: A case series study was conducted. Data on sociodemographic, epidemiological and clinical course variables of the cases were collected by telephone clinical interview. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. RESULTS: The outbreak involved 20 workers who shared the workplace and made the repatriation trip together. The outbreak investigation was initiated after detecting that a worker presented symptoms compatible with COVID-19 during the 4 days prior to the return trip, which was later confirmed by PCR. During follow-up, 40% (n=8) of the workers were considered cases confirmed by PCR. Of these, only 62.5% (n=5) presented symptoms. Fifty percent (n=4) had fever, 25% (n=2) had cough, respiratory distress, general malaise, and diarrhea, and 12.5% (n=1) had anosmia, ageusia, and conjunctivitis. All of them underwent home isolation with outpatient telephone follow-up. At the end of the follow-up, all were asymptomatic and returned to work. The mean close contact was 1.85 per case within the group (SD=3.13), with a range of 0-11, occurring primarily during attendance at extra work social events that were limited to members of the workers' own group and/or during the return flight. The health authorities were informed through established channels so that they could proceed with the detection and tracking of close contacts with people outside the group of workers that occurred during the flight and after arrival to Spain. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection of potential cases of COVID-19 with transmission capacity by the Occupational Health and Safety Departments of the companies, in collaboration with the Health Authorities, is essential for more efficient case and contact management of imported cases of COVID-19.
OBJETIVO: La movilidad de los trabajadores a otros países en un mundo laboral globalizado, ha supuesto un riesgo añadido en el contexto actual de la pandemia de COVID-19 y puede llevar consigo un riesgo mayor de propagación y transmisión de la enfermedad. La colaboración de las Unidades de Salud Laboral de las empresas y las Autoridades Sanitarias ha sido fundamental en la investigación de brotes de COVID-19 secundarios a viajes internacionales de trabajadores en misión. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir el proceso de detección y seguimiento de casos en un brote de COVID-19 en trabajadores repatriados tras una misión de seis meses en una fábrica de elementos aeronáuticos en Polonia. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio de serie de casos. Se recogieron datos relativos a variables sociodemográficas, epidemiológicas y relativas al curso clínico de los casos mediante entrevista clínica telefónica. Se utilizó la estadística descriptiva para resumir los datos. RESULTADOS: El brote implicó a 20 trabajadores que compartían lugar de trabajo y realizaron el viaje de retorno juntos. La investigación del brote se inició tras detectar que un trabajador presentó sintomatología compatible con COVID-19 durante los 4 días previos al viaje de regreso, que posteriormente fue confirmado con PCR. Durante el seguimiento, el 40% (n=8) de los trabajadores fueron considerados casos confirmados con PCR. De ellos, únicamente el 62,5% (n=5) presentó sintomatología. El 50% (n=4) presentó fiebre, mientras que el 25% (n=2) presentó tos, dificultad respiratoria, malestar general y diarrea, y el 12,5% (n=1) presentó anosmia, ageusia y conjuntivitis. Todos realizaron aislamiento domiciliario con seguimiento ambulatorio telefónico y estaban asintomáticos al final del seguimiento causando alta laboral. Los casos presentaron una media de 1,85 (DE=3,13) contactos estrechos dentro del grupo con un rango de 0-11, principalmente ocurridos durante la asistencia a eventos sociales extralaborales que se limitaban a los miembros del propio grupo y/o durante el viaje de avión de regreso. Las autoridades sanitarias fueron informadas a través de los cauces establecidos para que procedieran a la detección y seguimiento de los contactos estrechos con personas externas al grupo de trabajadores sucedidos durante el vuelo y tras la llegada a España. CONCLUSIONES: La detección precoz de los casos de COVID-19 con capacidad de transmisión a través de los servicios de prevención de las empresas, en colaboración con las Autoridades Sanitarias, es fundamental para el manejo de casos y contactos más eficiente ante la eventual aparición de casos importados de COVID-19.