Author/Authors :
MOHD NASIR, Nur Sabrina Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health - Putra University, Malaysia , MOHD TAMRIN, Shamsul Bahri Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health - Putra University, Malaysia , SUBRA-MANIAN, Kulanthayan Dept. of Community Health - Putra University, Malaysia , SHUKOOR, Nor Shuhada Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health - Putra University, Malaysia , ZOLKIFLI, Nurzuhairiza Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health - Putra University, Malaysia , NG, Gin Siong Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health - Putra University, Malaysia , MUHAMAD AKIR, Nur Fitriyah Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health - Putra University, Malaysia , ANANTA, Gede Pramudya Faculty of Information and Communication Technology - Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Malaysia
Abstract :
Background: A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the association between occupational stress risk factors and salivary alpha-amylase activity levels among fresh fruit bunch (ffb) cutters at oil palm plantation.
Methods: A total of 109 ffb cutters were selected from two oil palm plantations in Pulau Carey, Selangor at west coast of Malaysia in 2015. Questionnaires were used to determine socio-demographics and occupation information, distress level were determined by using translated 12-items-General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Kestrel Heat Stress Tracker 4400 was used to measure wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) for heat stress exposure. Posture analysis was exam-ined based on Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method in evaluating working posture and Borg CR-10 scale was rated by ffb cutters to determine exerted force during harvesting process. Stress response system was determined by measuring salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) activity by using sAA kinetic enzyme assay kit (Salimetrics).
Results: 35.8% of ffb cutter had high score indicating psychological distress. 49.5% of the cutters had high heat stress exposure. 91.8% used force exertion of 50%MVC and above to cut fresh fruit bunches and 62.4% were classified in Action Level 4 under RULA. 77.0% of the ffb cutters showed high levels of sAA activity after cutting fresh fruit bunches.
Conclusion: Workplace stressors such as working environment and ergonomics risk factors play a role to develop stress at workplace among ffb cutters. Therefore, stress preventive measures are needed to reduce the stressors at workplace.
Keywords :
Psychological distress , Salivary alpha-amylase , Heat stress exposure , Oil palm plantation
