Prevalence and risk factors of job strain among laboratory technicians in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

BD Aziah, BN Rusli, T Winn, L Naing, MA Tengku
Correspondence: Prof Rusli bin Nordin, rusli@kb.usm.my

ABSTRACT
Introduction Several sources of job stress exist. Some of these stressors are intrinsic to the job, while some are related to psychosocial and other factors.
Methods A cross-sectional study of the prevalence and risk factors of job strain in 84 laboratory technicians in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) (response rate 82.4 percent) was conducted between September 2001 and February 2002. A Malay version of the validated Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire was used as the research instrument in this study. There were five scales in the questionnaire. Two scales were used to define job strain, namely: decision latitude and psychological demands.
Results The prevalence of high job strain in laboratory technicians in HUSM was 33.3 percent. Job insecurity (adjusted OR 2.4; 95 percent CI 1.2-5.7), physical exertion (adjusted OR 1.7; 95 percent CI 1.1-2.9), and total psychological stressors (adjusted OR 3.6; 95 percent CI 1.8-7.1) were significantly associated with job strain.
Conclusion A high proportion of laboratory technicians in HUSM experienced high job strain and psychosocial factors in the workplace posed significant risks of job strain in these workers.

Keywords: Job Content Questionnaire, job strain, risk factors, laboratory technicians, psychosocial factors
Singapore Med J 2004; 45(4): 170-175