Predicting the work ability of security guards at a university in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand

Abstract

Objectives. The number of security guards in universities has increased significantly. This study aimed to predict work ability of university security guards. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 97 university security guards in Thailand was performed. Data were collected through interviews using a questionnaire covering social demographics, behavioral health and work ability. The data were analyzed using χ² tests and logistic regression models. Results. The average work ability index (WAI) score was 38.1 ± 3.8, with 65.0% of participants scoring ‘good’. Social support significantly influenced the WAI (p = 0.004). Those with insufficient support were 4.3 times more likely to show poor work ability. Mental health also impacted the WAI (p = 0.006); those with poor mental health were 4.7 times at risk. Additionally, work experience affected the WAI (p = 0.039). Those with ≥5 years of experience showed reduced work ability compared to their less-experienced counterparts (adjusted odds ratio 0.4; 95% confidence interval [0.20, 0.96]). Conclusions. Supervisors should provide social support and offer rewards and commendations to enhance employees’ abilities, health behaviors and management of underlying diseases. Additionally, organizations should prioritize health and safety in the workplace to ensure their employees are healthier and perform their tasks more effectively.

Keywords:

• work ability; work ability index; security guard; health behavior; social support

Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the help they received from Walailak University for the Occupational Health and Safety Project. They would also like to thank all the security guards who helped with the research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplemental data

The supplementary information includes the question’s content and a score evaluation of health behavior (Supplementary material S1), social support (Supplementary material S2), mental health (Supplementary material S3) and the work ability index (WAI) (Supplementary material S4).

Additional information

Funding

Walailak University.