An Assessment of Work Ability, Psychosocial Status, and the Quality of Life among Physiotherapists in Lagos State, 2017

There are many factors affecting work ability among health practitioners, but none has been investigated among physiotherapists in Nigeria. This study investigated the correlation among work ability, psychosocial status, and the quality of life among physiotherapists in Lagos State, Southwestern Nigeria. 

A survey was carried out among 111 physiotherapists (52 males and 59 females) using 3 standard questionnaires; work ability index, SF-12 quality of life questionnaire and Copenhagen psychosocial questionnaire that captured information on work ability, quality of life, and psychosocial status. Inferential statistics of Spearman’s correlation was used to determine the correlation between variables.

The highest scores of the work ability, quality of life and psychosocial status among the respondents were found to be 58.60%, 89.90%, and 55.80%, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (rs= 0.262, p= 0.007) between work ability and psychosocial status; but a negative correlation (rs= - 0.072, p=0.456) between work ability and the quality of life among the respondents. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation (rs= 0.224, p= 0.022) between the quality of life and psychosocial status.

This study showed high work ability, a moderate quality of life, and good psychosocial status among physiotherapists in Lagos State, Southwestern Nigeria. According to the results, work ability had no effect on the quality of life but had an effect on psychosocial status among physiotherapists in Lagos State. In addition, their quality of life had an effect on psychosocial status.