Abstract:
A descriptive cross sectionals study was carried out among the 660 female primary school
teachers of the Southern Province using a self-administered questionnaire. According to the
findings of this study, the prevalence-of-bronchial asthma was 9.8 percent varicose veins
was 21.25 percent and hoarseness of voice during the teaching career was and hoarseness of
voice during the teaching career was 25.5 percent and hoarseness of voice during the
teaching career was 25.5 percent . Majority ( 50.6 percent) of the primary school teachers
had suffered an infectious disease during the last year and common cold was the commonest
46.6 percent infectious disease. 19.8 percent of female primary school teachers were
suffering from chronic knee joint pain and 18.1 percent had chronic backache. 14 percent of
female primary school teachers had an accident/injury during last year while they were
working in the school. A case control study was conducted t0 identify the occupational
and life style risk factors for burnout among female primary school teachers. Logistic
regression analysis identified the following risk factors. Teaching more than 20 years has a
11.73 times of increased risk of burnout compared to teaching 20 years or less s (1 .94~
70.85)., Living more than 10 kilometers away from the school has a 6.80 times of increased
risk compared to living less than 10 kilometers (1.21-36.50). Spending more than five hours
per week for home work has a 15.91 times of increase risk compared to spending less (
3.77-67.16). It is recommended to translate this Questionnaire to the Tamil language and
validate it in order to facilitate cross-cultural research in Sri Lanka. The present study found
many risk factors for burnout among female primary school teachers. Some of these risk
factors can be prevented or reduced. Therefore, it is recommended that relevant authorities
take necessary steps to address them and to establish appropriate referral centers with
adequate resources to prevent such problem
