Objectives This study aimed to look into the association between occupational hazards and shift work with the frequency of occurrence of adverse physical health symptoms among 500 female factory workers in the Philippines.

Methods This is a meta-analysis of a database of a research study on female factory workers. Data on a wide range of socio-demographic, health and occupational characteristics were analyzed. The health data collected were the self-reported frequency of occurrence of various mental and physical health symptoms and injuries. Regressions were also used between factors affecting female worker’s shiftwork and physical health.

Results Associations were observed between shift schedule, workload, sex, occupational risk, harassment, injuries, use of personal protective equipment, benefits, unions, employer-employee relations, and employee-employee relations, with the frequency of onset of physical health symptoms. The odds ratio for the association between shift schedule and occurrence of physical health symptoms was 1.82 (0.66–4.97; p=0.39) implying that female workers who worked in the evening were 1.82 times more likely to have frequent physical health symptoms. Having seminars on occupational health may modify the association between shift schedule and physical symptoms. In the final model, the ergonomic and occupational health factors that affected physical health were employee-employee relations, harassment, workload, and work benefits. Among night shifters, those who perceived that they frequently had excess workload were 4.54 (1.03 – 20.00) times more likely to frequently experience physical symptoms.

Conclusion This study has shown that there is an association between specific occupation hazards and shiftwork with adverse physical health among Filipino female factory workers.