Background: Work ability is an interaction between individual and occupational factors influencing the working life of employee and is an important factor in working quality and security. The aim of this study was to determine the work ability in midwives. Methods: This was a descriptive study on123 midwives employed in the public hospitals and health-care centers of Mashhad meeting the inclusion criteria. The subjects were selected by two- stage sampling method. Participants completed questionnaires about demographic information, work characteristics and Work Ability Index (WAIQ). Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 14 and statistical tests such as independent t-test, one way ANOVA and Pearson,s correlation test were used. Results: Results showed that mean ± SD of age and work ability of midwives was 32.7± 1.02 and 38.81±0.05 years, respectively. 0.8% of midwives had poor, 31.73% moderate, 49.59% good, and 17.88% excellent work ability. Also, there was a significant negative correlation between work ability and work experience (p=0.011, r = -0.431). Conclusion: Midwives work ability was generally low in Mashhad. It can be increased through such special ways as dividing tasks among the members for lowering workload and periodic examination by physicians.

Keywords: work ability, midwife, hospital, health -care center

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