Prevalence and factors affecting occupational and non-occupational stress among industrial workers, a descriptive cross sectional study from a single industrial unit in South India

Abstract

Background: Stress related to work is a complex process that influences both the worker's health and his productivity. Identification of the stressors may elicit psychological, behavioural or physical response in the work environment. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in a single thermal power unit located in Tamilnadu state. A standard and validated questionnaire by O'Donnell MP, was used to assess the occupational and nonoccupational stress. Results: A total of 126 participants were included in the study. Psychological stress was the most common form of stress reported by 32.5% of the subjects. The prevalence of occupational stress was 9.5% in study population. Physical stress and family stress were reported by 13.5% and 12.7% of the subjects respectively. The highest odds of stress were observed in 30 to 39-year age group, when compared to youngest age group (20 to 29 years). Strong positive association was observed between the psychological stress and hypertension in study population. Conclusions: Psychological stress was the most common form of stress reported in industrial workers. Male gender, middle age groups, current use of smoking or alcohol is strongly associated with occupational stress.

Hypertensives versus Normotensives: Study on Coping Strategies and Lifestyle Determinants among Industrial Workers, Hyderabad, South India

“…Participants above the age of 18 years willing to participate and gave informed consent were included, whereas pregnant and lactating women were excluded. Taking the prevalence of psychological stress among industrial workers as 32%[ 7 ], the sample size was calculated as 236 and with 10% non-response rate, it was rounded to 256 using the formula 4pq/l 2 .…”