STRESS BURDEN IN WOMEN IN REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN SLOVENIA – SOME CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

  • Majda Pahor
  • Živa Novak Antolič
  • Lijana Zaletel Kragelj

Abstract

Background Stress is one of basic risk factors influencing different health states, including reproductive health of women. The study was aimed at measuring the level of stress in different groups of women in order to identify high-risk groups for stress and relate them to birth rate dynamics in Slovenia. Methods The data originate from the national health behaviour database in adults aged 25–64. Data collected in 2001 were used. The sample size was 15,379. Among them there were 4,942 women in reproductive age (25–49 years). The response rate of the mailed questionnaire in this group was 68 %, with 3,181 questionnaires being eligible for analysis. Binary multiple logistic regression was used to determine the impact of age, education, type of work, marital status, self-assessed social class, and type of residence community on the prevalence of frequent perception of stress. Results The overall prevalence of frequent perception of stress was 29.7 %. The highest odds ratios (OR) for stress were registered in women in age group 40–44 (OR 40–44 vs 25–29 = 1.35, p = 0.048), with the lowest (OR uncompleted primary vs primary = 1.73, p = 0.038) and the highest education levels (OR college vs primary = 1.76, p = 0.008; OR university vs primary = 1.80, p = 0.006), employed in industry as heavy workers (OR heavy workers in industry vs housekeepers/students = 1.76, p = 0.010), divorced (OR divorced vs consensual union = 1.72, p = 0.013), self-classified in the lowest social classes (OR lower vs upper-middle = 3.25, p < 0.001; OR labour vs upper-middle = 1.57, p = 0.011); and residents of suburban communities (OR suburban vs rural = 1.27, p = 0.029). Conclusions Public health activities to reduce stress burden among women in reproductive age in Slovenia (e.g. changes of legislation, changes of workplace behaviour) should be focused on women with lowest education and of lowest social class, especially working in heavy industry, and on employed women with highest education.

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Published
2009-06-01
How to Cite
1.
Pahor M, Novak Antolič Živa, Zaletel Kragelj L. STRESS BURDEN IN WOMEN IN REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN SLOVENIA – SOME CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES. TEST ZdravVestn [Internet]. 1Jun.2009 [cited 5Aug.2024];78(6/7). Available from: http://vestnik-dev.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/356
Issue
Vol 78 No 6/7 (2009): June/July
Section
Letter to the editor


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