Factors associated with utilisation of staff clinic services by nurses at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses, as gatekeepers of health, are expected to seek formal healthcare services, reflecting the advice they give patients. However, squalid working conditions, long hours, and heavy workloads expose them to occupational health hazards, limiting their ability to care for themselves. Properly implemented employee clinic services can help nurses address health problems, promote well-being, and reintegrate them into the workforce. Objective: This study sought to determine factors associated with the utilization of staff clinic services by nurses at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Materials and Methods: The study used an analytical cross-sectional design conducted in May 2023. A consecutive sampling method selected 50 participants. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire and presented as numbers and percentages. The questionnaire was divided into sections as follows: Participant demographic information (Age, gender, marital status, religion etc.); uptake of staff clinic services (Screening, treatment, awareness services etc), and factors associated with uptake of staff clinic services among nurses. Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test to evaluate significant differences for unpaired data. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 16. Results: Among the 50 participants, 66% were female. The study results show that the uptake of staff clinic services was low, with only 54% of the participants visiting the clinic on rare occasions. The most common barriers to utilizing the staff clinic were lack of time to go for screening (16%), fear of stigma (14%), and uncertainty about confidentiality (14%). Most participants utilized the acute illness treatment service (62%). Age was a significant factor associated with the utilization of the staff clinic (p = 0.021), with younger nurses using the clinic more often. Perceived benefits were also significantly associated with utilization (p < 0.05). Discussion: The utilization of staff clinic services by nurses remains suboptimal despite high knowledge and awareness of these services. Utilization was mainly associated with age, perceived benefits of accessing the staff clinic services, and reasons for not utilizing some of the services. There is need to strengthen promotional activities for the utilization of staff clinic health services as this has been proven to increase productivity and health outcomes of clinical staff.