Enterprise characteristics and occupational health literacy among essential service workers in Guangdong Province, China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundEssential service workers are exposed to significant occupational health risks. Low occupational health literacy (OHL) has been linked to increased risks of occupational injuries and work-related illnesses. However, limited evidence exists regarding the OHL of essential service workers and...

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Main Authors: Shanyu Zhou, Huiqing Chen, Junle Wu, Bing Xia, Xinyang Yu, Manqi Huang, Min Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1632185/full
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author Shanyu Zhou
Huiqing Chen
Junle Wu
Bing Xia
Xinyang Yu
Manqi Huang
Min Yang
author_facet Shanyu Zhou
Huiqing Chen
Junle Wu
Bing Xia
Xinyang Yu
Manqi Huang
Min Yang
author_sort Shanyu Zhou
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundEssential service workers are exposed to significant occupational health risks. Low occupational health literacy (OHL) has been linked to increased risks of occupational injuries and work-related illnesses. However, limited evidence exists regarding the OHL of essential service workers and the impact of enterprise characteristics on OHL. This study aimed to examine the associations between enterprise characteristics and OHL among essential service workers in Guangdong Province, China.Study designCross-sectional study.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,640 essential service workers from the environmental sanitation (n = 880), transportation (n = 880), and express and food delivery industries (n = 880), using multi-stage cluster random sampling. OHL was assessed using the National Occupational Health Literacy Monitoring Questionnaire, which measures four dimensions: knowledge of occupational health laws, knowledge of occupational health protection, skills of occupational health protection, and healthy work patterns and behaviors. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between enterprise characteristics (scale, ownership, industry) and OHL, with stratified analyses by monthly income.ResultsThe overall OHL level among essential service workers was 52.8%. Working in small and micro enterprises (adjusted OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.17–1.72) and private enterprises (adjusted OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.05–1.55) was associated with higher OHL, while employment in the express and food delivery industry was associated with lower OHL (adjusted OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49–0.82). Monthly income significantly moderated these associations, with stronger effects observed in higher-income groups.ConclusionEnterprise characteristics significantly influence OHL among essential service workers. Targeted OHL promotion strategies should be developed based on enterprise characteristics, with particular attention to large, state-owned enterprises and express and food delivery workers.
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spelling doaj-art-8dd40a00cc4f4fa1907c5d1bdb9b56ca2025-08-26T05:28:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-08-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.16321851632185Enterprise characteristics and occupational health literacy among essential service workers in Guangdong Province, China: a cross-sectional studyShanyu ZhouHuiqing ChenJunle WuBing XiaXinyang YuManqi HuangMin YangBackgroundEssential service workers are exposed to significant occupational health risks. Low occupational health literacy (OHL) has been linked to increased risks of occupational injuries and work-related illnesses. However, limited evidence exists regarding the OHL of essential service workers and the impact of enterprise characteristics on OHL. This study aimed to examine the associations between enterprise characteristics and OHL among essential service workers in Guangdong Province, China.Study designCross-sectional study.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,640 essential service workers from the environmental sanitation (n = 880), transportation (n = 880), and express and food delivery industries (n = 880), using multi-stage cluster random sampling. OHL was assessed using the National Occupational Health Literacy Monitoring Questionnaire, which measures four dimensions: knowledge of occupational health laws, knowledge of occupational health protection, skills of occupational health protection, and healthy work patterns and behaviors. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between enterprise characteristics (scale, ownership, industry) and OHL, with stratified analyses by monthly income.ResultsThe overall OHL level among essential service workers was 52.8%. Working in small and micro enterprises (adjusted OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.17–1.72) and private enterprises (adjusted OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.05–1.55) was associated with higher OHL, while employment in the express and food delivery industry was associated with lower OHL (adjusted OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49–0.82). Monthly income significantly moderated these associations, with stronger effects observed in higher-income groups.ConclusionEnterprise characteristics significantly influence OHL among essential service workers. Targeted OHL promotion strategies should be developed based on enterprise characteristics, with particular attention to large, state-owned enterprises and express and food delivery workers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1632185/fulloccupational health literacyessential service workersenterprise characteristicscross-sectional studytertiary industry
spellingShingle Shanyu Zhou
Huiqing Chen
Junle Wu
Bing Xia
Xinyang Yu
Manqi Huang
Min Yang
Enterprise characteristics and occupational health literacy among essential service workers in Guangdong Province, China: a cross-sectional study
Frontiers in Public Health
occupational health literacy
essential service workers
enterprise characteristics
cross-sectional study
tertiary industry
title Enterprise characteristics and occupational health literacy among essential service workers in Guangdong Province, China: a cross-sectional study
title_full Enterprise characteristics and occupational health literacy among essential service workers in Guangdong Province, China: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Enterprise characteristics and occupational health literacy among essential service workers in Guangdong Province, China: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Enterprise characteristics and occupational health literacy among essential service workers in Guangdong Province, China: a cross-sectional study
title_short Enterprise characteristics and occupational health literacy among essential service workers in Guangdong Province, China: a cross-sectional study
title_sort enterprise characteristics and occupational health literacy among essential service workers in guangdong province china a cross sectional study
topic occupational health literacy
essential service workers
enterprise characteristics
cross-sectional study
tertiary industry
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1632185/full
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