Relationship Between Quality of Life and Occupational Health Literacy Among Informal Wood Furniture Workers in Thailand

Abstract

Background: Informal wood furniture workers face various occupational health and safety risks that may impact their health and quality of life (QOL). Improving health literacy (HL) could help mitigate these risks. This study aims to assess HL levels and their relationship to QOL among this group in Thailand. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 and involved 175 informal wood furniture workers employed in Ban Ma, Lamphun province, Thailand. Data collection instruments comprised the Occupational Health Literacy Questionnaire (TOHLS-IF) and a questionnaire assessing informal workers' QOL. Analysis encompassed descriptive statistics alongside partial correlation analysis (p < 0.05). Results: Respondents demonstrated high overall health literacy (2.34 ± 0.45). Considering eight dimensions of QOL in the sample, some variables, such as insufficient income, debt, and underlying disease, were prevalent at high percentages and seemed to diminish workers' QOL. After adjustment for gender, age, level of education, and work experience, most QOL dimensions correlated positively with workers' HL levels (p < 0.05); significant variables included career goal setting (rs = 0.27, p < 0.001), conflicts in workplace (rs = 0.20, p = 0.009), environmental satisfaction (rs = 0.41, p < 0.001), readiness to use internet (rs = 0.28, p < 0.001) and applications (rs = 0.29, p < 0.001), coworker's respect (rs = 0.15, p = 0.003), and goal setting to advance career (rs = 0.28, p < 0.001). No significant relationship was observed between prevalent QOL-diminishing factors and health literacy. Conclusion: The observed link between HL levels and multiple dimensions of QOL among informal wood furniture workers underscores the need for targeted interventions. Policymakers and social initiatives should focus on promoting health literacy and relevant skills to enhance QOL within this population.

Keywords

• Health literacy
• Informal wood furniture workers
• Quality of life
• Thailand