Current status of anxiety and depression disorders among underground coal mining workers in Quang Ninh, 2022-2023

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Describe the current situation of anxiety and depression among underground mining workers at some coal mines in Quang Ninh in 2022-2023. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 180 underground coal miners in 02 coal mining companies in Quang Ninh. Research tools are the Zung anxiety scale and the Beck depression scale, which are utilized and evaluated according to the technical regulations of occupational and environmental health. Results: 15% of the study subjects had mental health problems, including 7 people (3.9%) with anxiety disorders and 10 people (5,6%) with depression, 10 people 5.6%) had both mental health problems: anxiety and depression. 8,9% (16 people) have mild anxiety disorder; there was 1 person with severe anxiety disorder. Among the subjects with depression, 15 people (8.3%) had mild depression; 2 subjects had moderate depression and 3 subjects had severe depression through the Beck test. Conclusion: 15% of the total 180 subjects studied, who are laborers working in underground coal miners at two coal mines in Quang Ninh had mental health problems (anxiety and depression), which is a relatively high rate. Larger studies are needed on the mental health status of underground coal miners to identify at-risk groups and related factors for effective early intervention measures. Keywords: coal miners; mental health; anxiety; depression.