Work ability during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in a low-income urban setting in Brazil

Work ability is a subjective concept that reflects the balance between an individual’s perception of the physical, mental, and social demands of work and their competence and resources to meet those demands. The COVID-19 crisis significantly impacted health, work, and socioeconomic conditions worldwide. However, few studies have examined work ability in disadvantaged urban communities during this period. To analyze factors associated with work ability within the context of social vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a cross-sectional study in a low-income neighborhood in Salvador, Brazil, between February and June 2022. Sociodemographic, health, and labor data were collected, and work ability was assessed using the Work Ability Index (WAI), a widely used tool for evaluating work ability. Multivariable analyses based on a hierarchical model were run to investigate factors associated with low WAI scores. The study included 292 workers aged ≥16 years (59.6% women; median age 41 years). Most workers (84.6%) were classified as having adequate work ability based on their WAI scores. Multivariable analyses found that inadequate work ability was more frequent among women (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-3.48), individuals who self-rated their health as moderate/good (PR: 5.91; 95% CI: 1.45-24.05) or poor/very poor (PR: 21.62; 95% CI: 5.14-90.91) compared to those with excellent/very good health, and those reporting diabetes (PR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.13-3.9). Working >40 hours per week (PR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.28-0.96) was negatively associated with inadequate work ability, suggesting that individuals with adequate work ability may be selected for longer working hours. A history of COVID-19 was not associated with inadequate work ability. These findings suggest that targeted interventions to improve work ability in low-income communities should prioritize women and workers with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes.