Occupational stress and its health outcomes among nurses in health facilities of Bushenyi district Western Uganda

Abstract

Background: Globally, 82 percent of reported work-related pressure (occupational stress) is responsible for stress on a regular basis, and nearly one-third of the workforce experiences it on a daily basis. When an employee is unable to cope with the demands and conditions of the job, occupational pressure can lead to the onset of stress, which can lead to mental, physical, emotional, and behavioural complications. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the occupational stress and related health outcomes among nurses in the selected health facilities of Bushenyi district western Uganda. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study survey was conducted on a sample of 181 nurses from various health facilities in Bushenyi, using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Purposive sampling was used to select all hospitals and health centres IVs in the district, while simple random sampling was used to select health centres IIs and IIIs. Data was collected using the Nurse Stress Index (NSI) modified on a five-point Likert scale, as well as interviewer-structured questionnaires. The collected data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 and the appropriate statistical tool. Results: Nurses in all categories reported high to moderate levels of occupational stress, with a mean NSI score ranging from 81.38 to 105.08. 26.0 percent were extremely stressed, 19.9 percent were highly stressed, 37.0 percent were moderately stressed, 12.7 percent were very stressed, and 4.4 percent had no stress. Stress levels varied according to demographic characteristics. Married nurses (p 0.017) had high stress levels, with mean scores ranging from 95.80 to 60.0. With a mean score of 60.0, the single, divorced or separated, and widowed experienced low levels of stress. Job position/responsibility (P 0.012), with the unit in charge and ward nurses experiencing significantly less stress than the ward in charge and ward nurses. Shortage of essential resources was a top stressor (P 0.005), followed by difficult patients (P 0.08), working with incompetent staff (P 0.009), and a lack of opportunities for growth and development (0.005). Nurses who lacked opportunities for growth/development were 2.538 times more likely to experience mental tightness or pressure as a stress health outcome (p 0.044). Conclusions; The majority of nurses, particularly those employed in government facilities, were found to be under high to moderate stress, and various determinants were identified by respondents and found to be statistically significant. As a stress health outcome, a lack of opportunity for growth/development was 2.53 times more likely to cause tightness or pressure in their head. These findings may have an impact on nurses’ mental, physical, and psychological well-being as they carry out their duties. Keywords: Occupational Stress, Stress, health outcome, Nurses, Health Facility