Psychosocial Risk Factors and Stress in an Oil Company in the Republic of the Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational stress is a significant health concern in the work-place, constituting a prevalent psychosocial risk. Due to its specific nature, the oil industry is perceived as a high psychosocial risk zone. This study aimed to correlate the perceived stress level with the identified psychosocial risk factors (PSRFs) among employees of an oil company in Congo-Brazzaville. Materials and Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted between July and September 2021 among employees of an oil company. They were recruited during their routine medical check-ups. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) and the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), respectively to assess stress and identify PSRFs. Results: Out of the sample, 203 workers were included. The majorities were males (81.3%), and the average age of participants was 39.5 ± 9.62 years. The frequency of perceived stress was 39.4%, and 40% of the workers were exposed to at least 3 PSRFs. A positive correlation was observed between perceived stress and workload (r = 0.37, p < 0.001), emotional demands (r = 0.36, p < 0.001), and conflicts between work and family life (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Conversely, good equity (r = -0.41, p < 0.001), trust in management (r = -0.25, p < 0.001), positive self-assessment of health (r = -0.33, p < 0.001), and strong organizational commitment (r = -0.50, p < 0.001) were identified as protective factors. The identified PSRFs explained 44% of the total variance. Conclusion: The study revealed that employees of this company exhibited a high level of stress. The detrimental impact of certain PSRFs was highlighted. A multidisciplinary intervention appears imperative to address these inherent risks in their professional environment.