Abstract
This research was aimed at studying the health status and risk behavior of workers
in factories in Chakkarat district, Nakhon Ratchasima Province in the period March-May
2007. The methodology involved data a collection form; secondary data, questionnaire
and risk-screening data. The results showed that there were 8 factories with 2,274
workers; data were collected on 2,227 of them, or 97.9 percent of the total. These factories
produce clothing, underwear and shoes. Most of the workers were women (74 percent),
aged between 25 and 29 years; most were married and had a primary level education.
Seamstress accounted for 68.5 percent of the total. Those who sat working totaled 77.3
percent. The top-five out-patient cases were respiratory tract infection, dyspepsia, myalgia,
headache and oral disease, in that order. With regard to accidents in workplace, it
was found that the most were needle accidents. Annual health examination data found
that only two patients had lung problems; eyes problems accounted for 21.6 percent of
the total. The patients with presbyopia problems comprised 8.0 percent of the total, but
there were no hearing problems. The result of risk screening found that 20.8 percent of
the workers’ parents had diabetes and high blood pressure; 6.8 percent of their brothers
and sisters has these health conditions, while only 1.8 percent of the workers themselves
did so, and additional new cases accounted for 0.9 percent, a total of 2.7 percent. The
workers who had diabetes and hypertension were following doctors’ supervision. As for
the behavior of workers, 10.6 percent smoked, 21.8 percent drank alcohol; 12.4 percent of
the workers usually exercised. With regard to eating behavior, it was found that most of
the workers consumed sweet, more salty and fatty food. As for driving/riding behavior,
it was found that most workers wore helmets and safety belts (75.6%). Unsafe sexual
behavior was practiced by some workers. The shape of body (waist/hip) exceeded the
standard for 26.54 percent of the subjects. The body mass index (BMI) exceeded the standard
in 43.7 percent of the workers. Health care for all the workers should be the responsibility
of the related organization; health promotion activities including solving problems,
should be carried out by each factory with appropriate conditions.
