Work-Related Stress and Associated Factors Among Textile Factory Employees in Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Work-related stress is becoming an alarmingly growing public health concern worldwide. Textile factories are among the most common manufacturing industries that have a higher rate of work-related stress. Investigating the prevalence and factors associated with work-related stress will help planners and decision-makers at every level in planning, managing, and evaluating the health status of the employees. Research evidence is limited for work-related stress in Northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess work-related stress and associated factors among textile factory employees in Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed among 403 employees in Bahir Dar Textile Factory. Data were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire, then entered into EpiData version 3.1, and analyzed using SPSS version 22 software. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were carried out. In logistic regression analysis, adjusted odds ratio (AOR), along with 95% confidence interval (CI), was used to identify the associated factors of work-related stress. A P-value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of work-related stress was 45.2%, with 95% CI=40.0–50.1%. Working in rotational shifts (AOR=2.33, 95% CI=1.34–4.03), current substance use (AOR=5.67, 95% CI=3.38–9.52), poor and medium social support (AOR=3.75, 95% CI=1.71–8.21 and AOR=3.26, 95% CI=1.39–7.64) were significantly associated factors with work-related stress, respectively. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Near to half of the study participants had work-related stress. Work shift, substance use, and social support were among the factors which affect work-related stress. Thus, interventions that could reduce work-related stress such as stress management programs should be considered.