Factors Threatening Occupational Health, Health Literacy, and Health Status of Working-Age Population in the Catchment Area of Hang Chat Hospital
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Abstract
This mixed-method study aims to 1) examine factors and the association between occupational health threats and health status, 2) compare health literacy among wood processing factory workers with different health status, and 3) formulate policy recommendations for the prevention of health problems and non-communicable chronic diseases in wood processing factory workers. Quantitative data was collected from 130 individuals who were part of the working-age population, aged 15-59, and employed in the catchment area of Hang Chat. Additionally, qualitative data was obtained through simple random sampling, which involved a sample of 30 individuals. The research tools include factors threatening occupational health and health literacy questionnaires, health reports, and interview guidelines for in-depth discussions. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis to identify common themes.
The research findings reveal that physical factors threatening occupational health, particularly dust exposure, have the highest mean score (M = 3.60, SD = 1.44). The most prevalent health issues reported are headaches (80%), followed by fatigue (69.2%). Moreover, all health literacy domains are at a good level, with the highest mean score in the understanding and knowledge domain (M = 3.72, SD = 0.89). Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between factors threatening occupational health scores and the health status of the working-age population in the catchment (r = .534). Overall, the population's health literacy at work leads to self-protection and better future health.
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