ABSTRACT
Job stress is an increasingly important occupational problem and a significant cause of economic loss. of this study were to determine the prevalence and sources of job stress among employees in Ain Shams University and to identify the relation between job stress and the general health of the employees in Ain Shams University. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which the study population consisted of employees working in different faculties of Ain Shams University. Subjects were considered eligible if they were working in the same department for at least one year. 1134 employees accepted to participate in the study out of 5795, their age ranged from 17 to 59 years old [mean +/- SD = 40.2 +/- 9.6years], 267 [33.8%] of which were males and 718 [66.2%] were females. Employees were interviewed using Occupational Stress Index [OSI] then measuring stress related health effects using a self administered of the 28-item of General Health Questionnaire [GHQ]. revealed that the majority of the participating employee [80.1%] has stress scores between 25% and 50% of the total stress score, which can be considered mild stress. Regarding stress dimensions; [under load, extrinsic time pressure and strictness] were more common stressors for those employees than [high job demand, disaster potential, noxious exposures and job conflict]. Correlation between general health dimensions and total stress score revealed that [somatic complaints, anxiety and insomnia and severe depression] are more significant in employees with higher stress scores [P < 0.0001]. Whereas there is no statistically significant correlation between social dysfunction and total stress score [P > 0.05]. Field study found that 80.1% of participating employees has mild stress. The main sources of stress were under load, extrinsic time pressure and strictness. There was positive correlation between general health dimensions [somatic complaints, anxiety and insomnia and severe depression] and total stress score. These findings suggest that: improving working environment and helping employees cope with job stress, are needed to keep them mentally healthy and productive