Occupational Risk Factors of Common Psychiatric Disorders among Railway Employees: A Descriptive Study
Abstract
There is a dearth of research work and scarcity of availability of data on psychiatric morbidity among railway employees in India. Present hospital based observational descriptive study was carried out at medical OPD of Central Hospital of Northern Western Railway, Jaipur with the specific aims to study occupational attributes of common psychiatric disorders. Total 450 randomly selected individuals were screened for psychiatric morbidities by using Mini-international neuropsychiatric interview-PLUS. Psychiatric diagnosis confirmed by two psychiatrists separately using the ICD, 10th revision (diagnostic and research criteria). A self designed, pre-tested & semi-structured detailed Performa was used to elicit demographical and occupational attributes. Univariate analysis was carried out initially to identify risk factors. The data was analyzed in terms of descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and stepwise binary logistic regression by using SPSS and Primer Version ‘6’. Most common diagnosed psychiatric disorders were Neurotic, stress related and somatoform disorders (28%), followed by mood disorders (25.56%). Common Psychiatric Disorders (CPD) i.e. depression, anxiety and somatoform disorders were the most common diagnosed psychiatric morbidities (49.78%). Working in rotatory shifts, perceived problems related to shift duties and stress in the working environment, work experience more than 20 years and non-executive type job were observed as the occupational risk factors for common psychiatric disorders. The present observations suggest that there is scope for psychiatric intervention for the management of perceived stress at work place, problems related to shift duties and other occupational challenges.
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Introduction
Work environments are known to influence the psychological functioning of the individuals. 1-2 In comparison with the general population, industrial workers have the added risk of physical, chemical, biological and other specific psychosocial factors of their occupational environment. 3 The reported prevalence rates of psychiatric morbidity in the Indian industrial population range from 14-37%; whereas, it can be up to as high as 74% in Western reports. 4-6 About 15% of all occupational disabilities reported are stress related. 7 Minor psychiatric morbidity (Common Psychiatric Disorders) is the most common cause for sick leave in industrial occupations. 8
Existing literature indicates that almost all railways employees, except a very limited managerial / administrative cadre, are exposed to health hazards on a daily basis.
Conclusion
Common Psychiatric Disorders especially depression, anxiety and somatoform disorders were found in medical outpatients. Employees working in rotatory shifts, perceived problems related to shift duties and stress in the working environment, work experience more than 20 years and non-executive type job as the occupational risk factors of common psychiatric disorders in current study sample. So it can be concluded that there is scope for psychiatric intervention for the management of perceived stress at work place, problems related to shift duties and other occupational challenges. This may have both therapeutic and preventive values.