Abstract
Background: Workplace factors such as poor communication, poor leadership, shortage of capacity work overload and reduced worker morale can increase an employees' level of stress, leading to mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and burnout. Mental health disorders in the workplace have been recognised as a challenge in many countries which have resulted in decreased productivity, reduced work performance, poor working relations among colleagues, and increased absenteeism.
Study Aim: The study aims to determine the prevalence of mental health symptoms (anxiety, depression, and general well-being) and associated work-related factors among employees at a precious metal refinery mine in Johannesburg, South Africa using the general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the self-administered questionnaire.
Methods: The research data was collected using the GHQ-12 questionnaire and a self-administered questionnaire with close-ended questions to gather demographic and occupational factors of study participants. Data was collected from 87 employees, permanently employed at the selected study site using simple random sampling. Chi-square was conducted to assess work factors associated with symptoms of mental health and general well-being of workers. Furthermore, a logistic regression analysis was used to quantify the significant difference between mental health and associated risk factors using odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval. Results: The prevalence of mental health symptoms amongst employees at precious metals refineries was found to be 49.4. The chi-square analysis showed that workplace factors associated with mental health, includes “fear of losing job” (p=0.017), workload (p=0.004) and poor-quality life (p=0.010). In the adjusted bivariate logistic regression analysis Alcohol consumption increased the odds of poor mental health and general well- being ([AOR: 2.685; 95% CI: 1.126 – 6.4050]), even though the association was not found to be statistically significant.
Conclusions: The study highlights the need for systemic changes to improve the worker’s well-being in the precious metals refinery industry. Future research should explore longitudinal impacts of occupational stressors and evaluate the effectiveness of intervention programs, including substance abuse support programs.