Assessment of Workplace Stress Impacts in Omdurman locality, Khartoum State, Sudan.

Abstract

This study is an attempt to assess Work stress using work–related stress questionnaire (Karasek) among 241 workers and measured thermal stress using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) in °C taking into consideration the plight of the Sudan, hot climates, in different industrial sectors in Omdurman to improve working. This study covers food industries, oils and soap, iron and metals, plastic, cement, and derivatives. Ninety-two factories in various industrial sectors were visited to collect data on the workplace and individuals (241 workers were surveyed for possible heat stress exposure such as name, age, sex, occupation, work duration, shift, working hours, habits related to smoking, etc.). This study found that psychological demands represented the most significant causes of stress. This study showed that socio-demographics, job characteristics, and work-related and related factors were highly influential in developing high heat stress. The study shows a relation be-tween the upper limits of heat and high workplace stress and illustrates the variation of heat stress between different industry types. Plastic, food, iron and metals, and cement, and derivatives. Socio–economic factors among workers were examined by the study to ascertain if there was a significant relationship between high-stress symptoms development among the workers; the study also inspects the association between high stress and factors such as working hours, shift system, marital status, personal hobbies, and bad habits. This present study aims to propose the guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) for the prevention of heat stress and workplace stress.