Factors associated with depression among Thai female workers in the electronics industry

To determine the factors associated with depression among female workers in the electronics industry.

A cross-sectional study was performed during the period of March 2010. A sample of 444 females working in the electronics industry-located in Ayutthaya province, Thailand-were selected by stratified random sampling. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Depression was assessed through utilization of the Center Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D). Data regarding socio-demographics, employment history, personal crises, family relationships, effort-reward imbalance and personal resources were included to assess all factors influencing depression. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the predictability of factors.

The prevalence of depression in female workers was 28.8%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that those with poor family relationships, low reward and poor social support had 5.83 times (95% CI: 2.66-12.79), 2.58 times (95% CI: 1.20-5.53) and 4.63 times (95% CI: 1.60 to 13.40) higher risk of suffering from depression, respectively.

The results suggest that improving family relationships, rewards and social support can be important strategies in the prevention of depression in female workers. Surveillance on depression in female workers should be conducted in the industry. Existing rewards should be reviewed and family relationships and social support should be enhanced, in order to decrease the impact of depression in female workers.