Mental health among working women in Tala District, Menoufia Governorate

Abstract

Objective The aim of the present study was to estimate the impact of work on the mental health status of working women by using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-28 and the efficacy of the stressor factors. Background Work can affect the general health status of women. Some personal factors as age and marital status and work factors as night shift, odd working hours, and relation with manager and colleagues have been suggested as possible causes of stress that affect significantly the mental health of working women. Patients and methods This cross-sectional study included 600 working women randomly selected from two family health units (Kashtoukh and Zawiatbemam), which were randomly selected from the family health units of Tala District, and from the only family health center in Tala. A sample representing both rural and urban areas of Tala District, Menoufia Governorate, was selected. Working women attended the selected family health units and the center for medical cause or worked with family members during their visits. Results Of the 600 participants, 16% had abnormal GHQ-28 scores of greater than or equal to 5. This abnormal general health status was statistically significant with participant age, residence, marital status, husband's education, family size, family income, number of school-going children, and government financial support. As regards work-related factors, night shift, odd working hours, personal relation with colleagues, and presence of conflict constituted significantly affected the mental health status of working women. Conclusion Mental health of working women can be affected significantly by some personal and some work-related factors. The present study reported that the abnormal GHQ result was prevalent among the studied working women.