Factors Associated with Stress among Female Workers in Garment Factories in Vientiane, Lao PDR

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate the stress levels of female garmentfactory workers in Vientiane, Lao PDR, and the association between individual and family factors, and psychosocial work factors, with the workers’ stress levels. The study subjects were 500 female workers selected by proportional stratified random sampling. The research instrument was a self-administered questionnaire, comprising 1) individual and family factors or job quality questionnaire (7 items); 2) psychosocial work factors (54 items), reliability = 0.87; and, 3) the Suanprung Stress Test (SPST-20) (20 items), reliability = 0.90. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Pearson’s Correlation Coeffcient.

The results showed that, on average, female garment-factory workers perceived moderate levels of stress ( = 38.1, S.D. = 10.1). The overall stress level of the subjects was moderate (63.0%). The relationship between personal factors, including marital status (-value = 0.0490), debt (-value = 0.013), and responsibility to family (-value = 0.020) and a family member (-value = 0.003), were associated with stress among female garment-factory workers. The six felds of psychosocial work factors showed that female workers’ perceived lack of job security (r = -0.125, -value = 0.005). It is recommended that garment-factory managers/owners defne clear roles and responsibilities to their workers. Training should be provided to female workers to enable them better to understand the garment production process and the industry, to enhance ongoing performance and increase opportunities for career advancement. Managers should compensate employees at rates not below the minimum wage, and provide welfare as required by law.