Association Between Occupational Fatigue and Mental Health Among Textile Shift Workers in Pakistan

Overview

Brief Summary The goal of this observational study is to evaluate how occupational fatigue affects mental health outcomes in adult shift workers employed in the textile industry. The main questions it aims to answer are: What is the prevalence of mental health complaints among textile industry shift workers? How does occupational fatigue influence these mental health outcomes? Researchers will compare different levels of fatigue (based on MFI-20 scores) and their association with mental health status (based on GHQ-28 scores) to see if higher occupational fatigue is linked with poorer mental health. Participants will: Complete the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) to assess physical and mental fatigue. Complete the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) to screen for psychological distress. Provide demographic and work-related information through a structured survey.

Detailed Description This study aims to assess the impact of occupational fatigue on the mental health of shift workers in the textile industry of Karachi. Given the growing concern about mental health issues in industries requiring extended hours and irregular shifts, this research seeks to identify how fatigue related to shift work affects the mental well-being of textile workers. Study Design and Methodology A cross-sectional study design will be employed to collect data from a sample of 356 shift workers in the textile sector. The sample will be selected using stratified random sampling to ensure a representative distribution across different demographic categories such as age, gender, and job type. Participants will be chosen from textile factories based in Karachi to provide a broader understanding of mental health issues in this sector. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria The study will include workers who have been employed in the textile industry for at least six months. Workers with pre-existing mental health disorders, as identified by medical records, will be excluded to ensure the study focuses on occupational fatigue rather than underlying health conditions. Data Collection Tools Two standardized instruments will be used for data collection: General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28): This tool will assess the mental health status of participants, specifically focusing on symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and social dysfunction. Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20): This will measure the severity of fatigue in the workers, evaluating both physical and mental fatigue, which may contribute to the workers' overall well-being. Data will be gathered through face-to-face interviews and self-administered surveys. Informed consent will be obtained from each participant, ensuring that they understand the study's purpose and their right to confidentiality. Statistical Analysis The data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics will summarize the demographic characteristics of the sample and the responses to the GHQ-28 and MFI-20. For inferential analysis, multiple regression analysis will be performed to explore the relationship between occupational fatigue and mental health, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, gender, and job type. Ethical Considerations The study has received ethical approval from the RSRS Ethical Review Board. All participants will provide written informed consent, and confidentiality will be maintained throughout the research process. The study will comply with ethical standards for research involving human subjects. Expected Outcomes The study is expected to find a significant correlation between occupational fatigue and poor mental health among shift workers. The findings could highlight the importance of fatigue management in improving the mental health of workers, suggesting the need for workplace interventions such as rest periods, psychological support programs, and changes in shift scheduling. Limitations This study is limited by its cross-sectional nature, which will only allow for the identification of associations rather than causal relationships. Additionally, the results may not be generalizable to workers in other industries or regions outside of Karachi.