Relationship Between Quality of Life and Occupational Health Literacy Among Informal Wood Furniture Workers in Thailand

IF 3.5 3区医学 Q1 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Safety and Health at Work Pub Date : 2025-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.shaw.2024.11.007

Patcharin Chaisurin, Weeraporn Suthakorn, Kunlayanee Tantranon, Anon Wisutthananon

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Informal wood furniture workers face various occupational health and safety risks that may impact their health and quality of life (QOL). Improving health literacy (HL) could help mitigate these risks. This study aims to assess HL levels and their relationship to QOL among this group in Thailand.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 and involved 175 informal wood furniture workers employed in Ban Ma, Lamphun province, Thailand. Data collection instruments comprised the Occupational Health Literacy Questionnaire (TOHLS-IF) and a questionnaire assessing informal workers' QOL. Analysis encompassed descriptive statistics alongside partial correlation analysis (p < 0.05).

Results

Respondents demonstrated high overall health literacy (2.34 ± 0.45). Considering eight dimensions of QOL in the sample, some variables, such as insufficient income, debt, and underlying disease, were prevalent at high percentages and seemed to diminish workers' QOL. After adjustment for gender, age, level of education, and work experience, most QOL dimensions correlated positively with workers' HL levels (p < 0.05); significant variables included career goal setting (rs = 0.27, p < 0.001), conflicts in workplace (rs = 0.20, p = 0.009), environmental satisfaction (rs = 0.41, p < 0.001), readiness to use internet (rs = 0.28, p < 0.001) and applications (rs = 0.29, p < 0.001), coworker's respect (rs = 0.15, p = 0.003), and goal setting to advance career (rs = 0.28, p < 0.001). No significant relationship was observed between prevalent QOL-diminishing factors and health literacy.

Conclusion

The observed link between HL levels and multiple dimensions of QOL among informal wood furniture workers underscores the need for targeted interventions. Policymakers and social initiatives should focus on promoting health literacy and relevant skills to enhance QOL within this population.

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来源期刊

Safety and Health at Work Social Sciences-Safety Research

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

5.70%

发文量

1080

审稿时长

38 days

期刊介绍： Safety and Health at Work (SH@W) is an international, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal published quarterly in English beginning in 2010. The journal is aimed at providing grounds for the exchange of ideas and data developed through research experience in the broad field of occupational health and safety. Articles may deal with scientific research to improve workers'' health and safety by eliminating occupational accidents and diseases, pursuing a better working life, and creating a safe and comfortable working environment. The journal focuses primarily on original articles across the whole scope of occupational health and safety, but also welcomes up-to-date review papers and short communications and commentaries on urgent issues and case studies on unique epidemiological survey, methods of accident investigation, and analysis. High priority will be given to articles on occupational epidemiology, medicine, hygiene, toxicology, nursing and health services, work safety, ergonomics, work organization, engineering of safety (mechanical, electrical, chemical, and construction), safety management and policy, and studies related to economic evaluation and its social policy and organizational aspects. Its abbreviated title is Saf Health Work.