The role of workload and job satisfaction in general health of industrial workers in Gonabad, Iran, in 2015

The lack of satisfaction and balance between the workload and abilities and limitations of individuals in various occupations may influence their general health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of workload and job satisfaction on the general health of industrial workers. This was a cross-sectional and correlational study on 215 workers of a Chinese manufacturing industry in Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. Data were collected using the Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software and through computing the Pearson and Spearman’s correlation coefficients and step-wise regression. The general health score of 60 % of women and 45.1 % of men was greater than the cut-off score of 21 as a determinant of health and non- health. In addition, 80.6 % of men and 74.8 % of women had social problems. The overall workload of 26.53 % of men and 23.7 % of women was over 70 (high workload) and the workload of 69.38 % of men and 69.23 % of women was between 40 and 70 (intermediate). Based on these result, the average job satisfaction score is moderate and 60.2 % of men and women have shown moderate satisfaction. The result of correlation test showed no statistically significant correlation between workload and job satisfaction and general health (P > 0.05). Moreover, no significant relationship was observed between job satisfaction and general health (P > 0.05). The results of the study suggest that authorities should pay special attention to the general health of industrial workers, especially with respect to social disorders. In addition, given the direct relationship between some subscales of workload and job satisfaction, and general health, further studies are needed to identify these factors.