Factors affecting stress levels during COVID-19 pandemic among village health volunteers in rural areas, Thailand

Abstract

Background: Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) played vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic. They had to provide primary health care to people both with and without COVID-19. Objectives: This study aimed to assess stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic and factors affecting stress among VHVs in rural areas, in Thailand.Method: A cross-sectional survey was employed in this study. A total of 204 samples were selected randomly with simple random sampling. They were village health volunteers who worked in rural areas (Phichit Province). The questionnaire consisted of five parts and was used to assess: (1) Personal factors (2) Work-related factors (3) Organizational factors (4) Health-related factors and (5) Stress levels developed by the Department of Mental Health (SPST- 20). Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis.Results: Most of the respondents were female (74%), and the age of all respondents ranged from 47 to 58 years (37.7%). Nearly one-third (28.9%) were married. The majority of the respondents attained secondary school (76%) and were agriculturists (50.5%). Their annual income ranged from 50,000 to 100,000 baht ($1372.12 to $2744.24). Approximately two-third (63.2%) reported that they had been working as VHVs in the range of 5-15 years. Additionally, a high-stress level was reported with the highest proportion (41.16%). Regarding the multiple regression analysis, it was found that factors related to stress levels of the VHVs in rural areas were working condition (β=-1.649, p<0.001), social support (β=2.540, p<0.001), psychological aspect (β= -4.233, p<0.001), and physical aspect (β=1.233, p< 0.001). These factors were utilized to predict 52.10% (R2=0.521, Adj. R2=0.512) of the stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic among the VHVs.Conclusion: Factors affecting stress levels of the VHVs in the rural areas were working conditions, social support, psychological aspect, and physical aspect.