Prevalence of occupational stress among crane operators in a Container Terminal Port, in Penang

Yakub @ Yaakub, Norwahida (2012) Prevalence of occupational stress among crane operators in a Container Terminal Port, in Penang. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Summary: Introduction: Crane operators are workers who work at container terminal. The scope of their jobs are loading and unloading containers from or to vessels and handling container activities around yard areas at the port. They need to drive 24 hours a day, 7 days per week and as per the demands of theirs' vessel schedules. Demands of the job contribute to occupational stress including physical challenges, health problems, and psychological symptom (depression, anxiety, and stress). Objectives: This study was conducted to determine occupational stress and psychological factors among crane operators working in a container terminal at the Penang Port. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study. A total of 240 crane operators at the Penang Port container terminal participated in this study. Respondents were interviewed using questionnaires based on the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 2l-items). Results: The response rate was 100%. Statistical analysis showed the prevalence of occupational stress among respondents was 43.75%. Result from Chi-square test showed that the factors significantly associated with occupational stress were age (X2=4.331, f=0.038), decision latitude (X2=24.490, p=<O.OOI), psychological job demand (X =27.498, p=<O.OOl), anxiety (X2=7.659, p<0.006), toxic exposure (X2=5.510, p=0.019), physical isometric loads (l=4.572, p=0.032), and muscle ache (X2=4.354, p=0.037). Further analysis using multiple logistic regression, showed that the predictive factors for occupational stress were psychological job demands (OR = 4.137, 95% CI = 2.258 - 7.579), physical isometric loads (OR = 1.902, 95% CI = 1.044 - 3.463), muscle ache (OR = 1.761, 95% CI = 0.899 - 3.449), anxiety (OR = 2.314, 95% CI = 1.242 - 4.311), toxic exposure (OR = 1.612, 95% CI = 0.774 ¬3.316) and decision latitude (OR = 0.248,95% CI = 0.127; 0.484). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that there was a high prevalence of occupational stress among crane operators. Factors associated with occupational stress among these workers suggest that the job demands are challenging, especially in terms of high skills and physical demands. The management should be aware of these problems among their workers and implement preventive approaches to ensure the safety and productivity 0 f their workers. Keywords: Occupational stress, depression, anxiety, stress, and crane operators

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	22 Nov 2022 06:21
Last Modified:	30 Aug 2023 02:27
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/176

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