Prevalence and Factors Associated with Workplace Stress among Worker Population in Thimphu, Bhutan: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Workplace stress is a major public health problem worldwide. The impact of workplace stressors contributed to risk behaviors, poor family relationship, severe diseases. Several factors are associated with workplace stress i.e. health condition and job satisfaction.

Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of workplace stress and to determine factors associated with workplace stress among the working population in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect the information using a validate questionnaire and the Workplace Stress Scale (WSS) to assess stress levels from the worker who lived in Thimphu district, Bhutan. Multiple logistic regression was analyzed to assess the association between variables at a significance level of equation = 0.05.

Results: A total of 415 workers were recruited into the study. The most participant were 56.4% males with a majority (43.9%) ranging between 19 to 30 years. There were 54.0% completed their high school education, 32.3% hold a bachelor’s degree, 10.6%, have received primary level education, and 3.1%, have no formal education. 92.8% of the participants were Buddhist followed by Hindu (5.3%), and Christianity (1.9%) respectively. The overall prevalence of workplace stress was 48.2% of which 39.3% experienced moderate stress, 8.4% experienced severe stress and 0.5% experienced potentially dangerous level of stress. Eight factors were found to be associated with workplace stress, including cannabis use, COVID-19 infection, kidney disease, diabetes, chronic diseases in the family, severe mental health problems among family members, job position, and job satisfaction. The specialists, professional, and managers experienced higher levels of stress compared to operational level.

Conclusion: Workplace stress associated with cannabis use, COVID-19 infection, kidney disease, diabetes, chronic family illnesses, severe mental health problems among family members, job position, and job satisfaction. Individuals with moderate to high stress levels should be referred for further evaluation and treatment. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing targeted interventions in the workplace, with a focus on training workers in stress management skills to mitigate these stressors effectively.