Perceived Health Effects of Occupational Stress Among Oil and Gas Workers in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Occupational stress is a major health hazards of the modern workplace. This study aimed to assess the perceived health effects of occupational stress among oil and gas workers in the state of Rivers. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. The population consisted of an estimated 3,005 workers in the oil and gas sector in Rivers State. A sample size of 330 was selected using a multistage sampling method. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on workers' perceived health effects. The questionnaire had a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.86 using Cronbach Alpha. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS) version 27.0. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, and the hypotheses were tested using one-way analysis of variance at the 0.05 level of significance. The perceived physical health effects were: body ache (3.69±0.46), headache (3.67±0.57), dyspnoea (3.54±0.52), and fatigue (2.86±0.62). The perceived mental health effects were as follows: loss of interest in mental activities (3.51±0.50), loss of concentration (3.44±0.48), anxiety (3.26±0.56), and mood swing (2.72±0.50). The perceived social health effects were: social isolation from working in remote locations (3.64±0.48), stress from extended work rotations (2.71±0.47), and missing important family events (2.61±0.49). The study concluded that working in the oil and gas industry exposes workers to occupational stress, which could lead to physical, mental, and social health effects. The study recommended that occupational health physicians should always be on standby to always check and monitor the mental health status of the workers at regular intervals.