Working Conditions, Health Risks and Quality of Life Among Informal Older Workers in Nong Ngu-Leam Sub-district, Chaloem Phrakiat District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

The objective of this descriptive study was to assess the working environment, health risks, and quality of life among 120 informal older workers in Nong Ngu-Leam Sub-district, Chaloem Phrakiat District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The participants were selected through multi-stage random sampling, and data were collected using a validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. The results revealed that the majority of participants were female (70.8%), and 60.8% had completed primary school education. The primary occupation for most workers was agriculture, accounting for 36.7% of the sample. Daily wages were received by more than half of the workers (51.7%), and approximately 94.2% reported using personal protective equipment. During work, 42.5% of participants experienced accidents, 39.2% reported working with repetitive or frequent gestures, and 32.5% faced uncertainty regarding income or compensation. Regarding work-related illnesses, 48.3% of participants had experienced accidents at work, and 41.7% reported neck and shoulder pain. In terms of quality of life, the mean score was 3.3 (standard deviation of 0.7), with 54.2% of workers having a moderate quality of life. The findings suggest that there are several areas in the working conditions and quality of life of informal older workers that require improvement. Health workers involved in the care of this population should pay special attention to their working conditions, environment, and overall well-being to promote a better quality of life for them.