Abstract:
The aims of this cross sectional descriptive study were to determine the prevalence rates of high psychological stress and high quality of life, and their related factors among the employees in medium size garment factories at Bangkok. Data was collected by self administered questionnaires between December 2004 and February 2005 from 1,465 target employees at 3 garment factories at Bangkok. However, only 1,186 employees returned the questionnaires with the response rate of 81.0 percent. The prevalence rates of high psychological stress and high quality of life among employees were 28.7 and 19.8 percents respectively. Factors which were positively and significantly associated with psychological stress included type of residence, number of family members and dependants, type of employment, presence of heat and health hazard in the workplace. While factors which were inversely and significantly associated with psychological stress were family financial status and social supports from family members, manager and colleagues. Concerning the quality of life, factors which were positively and significantly associated with high quality of life included age, educational level salary, family financial status, working duration, job position opportunity for career development and social support from family members, manger and colleague. And factors which were significantly inversely and inversely associated with quality of life were number of dependants, type of residence, number of working hours per day, time of work, and presence of noise and dust in the workplace. In conclusion, psychological stress and quality of life of the employees in the garment factories in Bangkok might be mitigated and improved by : the improvement of working condition; the increase in social support from the manager, and; the increase in salary and the opportunity for career development.