Background: Motor three-wheel drivers provide an important means of transportation in Sri Lanka, comprising 15% of motorized road vehicles. Although three-wheel driving is a widespread occupation for Sri Lankan men, little is known about their general health or risk factors.Objectives: This paper investigates chronic illnesses and risk factors for such illnesses in a sample of 33 three-wheel drivers in Galle, Sri Lanka.Methods: A qualitative investigation was conducted between June and August 2012. 20 three-wheel drivers participated in 60-minute semi-structured interviews, and 13 participated in semi- structured focus groups related to their work-related health concerns.Results: Illness reported included musculoskeletal pain, hypercholesteremia, hypertension, and diabetes. Participants identified work-related stress and substance abuse as risk factors.Conclusions: Participants described a cycle of work related stress, substance use, and chronic illness. Community-based education on the risks of substance use and alternative means of coping may be an effective intervention for these workers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i2.7662
Background and Objectives: Drug addiction and rehabilitation of addicts have become a significant public health problem in Sri Lanka. However, relatively few studies have been carried out in drug rehabilitation centres in Sri Lanka. Lack of epidemiological health related data on drug addicts and their behavior related to the drug addiction have further impeded the development and implementation of preventive and health promotive activities targeting this group of people. Therefore, this study was carried out to provide a descriptive overview of drug addicts and their behavior related to drug addiction.
Introduction: Teaching is considered as one of the most important profession in the world today. In the past it was considered as a rather routine job without hard or hazardous work. However the present day school teachers have to play multiple roles in their day-today work with children, colleagues and administrators. Therefore teaching is now considered as a high stress profession. As a result there was a growing concern among researchers about teachers' mental health during last few decades. Several researchers have identified number of mental health problems of teachers including burnout. Burnout has not studied among teachers in Sri Lanka. Objective: The present study was planned to determine the prevalence and risk factors of burnout among female primary school teachers in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Methodology: Out of the female primary school teachers employed in the southern province of Sri Lanka, 660 teachers were selected using multi stage cluster sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used for the data collection. It consists with three broad sections: Socio-demographic characteristics, Occupational and life style factors and validated Sinhala version of Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey (MBI-ES-Sin). For identification of correlates of burnout, all the teachers identified as having burnout were selected as cases and double the number of cases was randomly selected from the teachers who were identified as not having burnout as controls. Results: Overall prevalence of burnout among female primary school teachers in the Southern Province was 115.6 per 1000 population. The prevalence rate for burnout was highest (157.8/1000 population) in the Hambanthota district. A stepwise increase in prevalence of burnout was observed from Galle (96/1000 population), Matara (105/1000 population) to Hambanthota district. Following the logistic regression analysis female primary school teachers more than 20 years in teaching profession, female primary school teachers who travel more than 10 kilometers daily to school, teachers doing home work more than 5 hours per week, teachers who participating in school activities during weekend, teachers who sleep less than 7 hours per day and teachers who are having one hour or less leisure time per day were identified as having significantly higher level of burnout. Conclusions: Burnout is a problem among female primary school teachers in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is recommended that relevant authorities take necessary steps to address the factors contributing to the teacher burnout.
The garment industry has gradually become the major foreign exchange earner in Sri Lanka. The objective of this study is to provide an overview of health problems and quality of life among female garment workers in Sri Lanka. A random sample of female garment workers in the Free Trade Zone in Koggala, Sri Lanka was recruited. Information on medical symptoms and health related quality of life (WHO QOL) was collected through interviews conducted by medically qualified research assistants using a structured questionnaire. : A total of 1058 female workers participated in the study. Mean age was 27.8 years, Musculoskeletal problems were reported by 15.5%, the most prevalent complaint being lower back problems. Over 5% (n = 59) reported a workplace injury in the last year; most of these (68.3%) were puncture injuries. Very few (n = 5; 0.5%) reported having been subjected to emotional abuse, and none reported any sexual or physical abuse at work during the last 12 months. Most (n = 576; 54.4%) rated their overall quality of life as very good or good, and 63.8% (n = 676) were satisfied with their health. Scores relating to psychological complaints were lower (worse) than those for physical complaints. Relative to studies of other occupational groups in middle income countries, these female garment workers reported overall good health; their most notable problem was musculoskeletal symptoms. The findings could represent adequate control of work-related risks, but a healthy worker effect and social desirability bias must also be considered as explanations for the positive health status of these relatively young workers.
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