Occupational stress and engagement in primary health care workers.

Dezolina Franciele Cardin Cordioli,Luciano Garcia Lourenção,Claudia Eli Gazetta,João Roberto Cordioli Junior,Albertina Gomes Da Silva

doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0681

Dezolina Franciele Cardin Cordioli, Luciano Garcia Lourenção + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0681

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Abstract

To evaluate levels of occupational stress and work engagement among primary health care workers. A descriptive, correlational and transversal study was carried out in a small municipality in the countryside of São Paulo, with a non-probabilistic sample of convenience, with 85 workers. Three self-applied instruments were used: one developed by researchers, containing sociodemographic variables; Work Stress Scale (WSS) and Utrech Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Prevalence of women (72.6%), 40 years old or more (45.9%), 4 years and 4 months of mean working time in primary care. Thirty-one workers (36.5%) presented significant stress (scores ≥2.5). Work engagement showed a mean of 4.1 (±1.2) to 4.4 (±1.4), classified as high in all dimensions. Occupational stress and work engagement correlated negatively. Workers presented high levels of work engagement; more than one-third had significant occupational stress. Workers with high levels of occupational stress tend to have lower work engagement.

Highlights

The Family Health Strategy (FHS) is the model of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil
In spite of the progress made with the publication of the National Occupational Health Policy (NOHP), the management of health care actions for PHC workers is still weak, besides the lack of awareness among these professionals about the importance of their occupational health[3,4,5]
There was no participation of oral health auxiliary/technicians because there was no position in the municipality

Summary

Introduction

The Family Health Strategy (FHS) is the model of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil. In the PHC services, the worker’s close link with the user’s territory can mean a greater vulnerability of the professional to suffering, by experiencing with greater intensity the feeling of impotence in the face of the magnitude of the health problems to be treated; to fear, by threats to the moral and physical integrity of the professional who works in open environments or in the users’ own residence; and the non-recognition of efforts for the work done[6] In this context, professionals are liable to occupational stress, due to physical, psychological and social risks at work[7]. It is defined as any stimulus emanating from the external or internal environment that exceeds the adaptation sources of an individual or social system[8]

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Discussion

Conclusion