Burnout Syndrome among Healthcare Professionals working in Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Due to exhaustive working climate, health-care professionals (HCPs) are highly exposed to emotional strain and work-related stress that leads to burnout syndrome (BOS).AIM:We aimed to explore the prevalence of BOS among HCPs and delineate the factors that contribute to developing this emerging threat in HCPs working in Gondar University Hospital (GUH).METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCPs using a self-administered validated questionnaire containing sociodemographic and job characteristics, symptoms of burnout using Astudillo and Mendinueta questionnaire, and Maslach Burnout Inventory scale. The prevalence of BOS was assessed by summation of answers to all 19 items with a range of 0–57. HCPs who scored >23 were considered as burned out. Pearson's correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between BOS and job factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.RESULTS:A total of 250 HCPs were approached out of which 248 responded (response rate –99.2%). The overall prevalence of burnout was 13.7% and majority of the respondents experienced debility (52.8%), self-criticism (56%), and depressive symptoms (46%). BOS symptoms were significant with age (P = 0.008), number of patients treated per day (P < 0.001), and HCPs working in shifts (P < 0.001). Higher mean levels of emotional exhaustion (5.4 ± 1.2) and inefficacy (5.1 ± 1.7) were noticed than cynicism (4.8 ± 2.0). Male HCPs, being single and years of experience, were determinant factors for all the three dimensions of BOS, whereas profession was significantly determinant for emotional exhaustion (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:The prevalence of BOS among HCPs working in GUH was 13.7%. Being male, unmarried, and years of experience were significant risk factors for all the three dimensions of BOS. Pragmatic measures are recommended to prevent stressful challenges for the physical and mental well-being of the HCPs in GUH.

Burnout among Nurses Working in Ethiopia

“…All of the studies were cross-sectional studies [ 14 , 15 , 17 , 24 – 26 ] except one study which was cohort study design [ 16 ]. Of all the studies, three of them were conducted among nurses only [ 17 , 24 , 26 ], and the rest were conducted among healthcare professionals [ 14 – 16 , 25 ]. The total sample size for this review was 1654 nurses with a maximum sample of 369 from Amhara region [ 24 ] and a minimum sample of 75 from SNNPR [ 16 ].…”

“…The pooled prevalence of burnout in this review was 39% (95% CI: 27% to 50%). Individually, the prevalence of burnout among nurses across the regions in Ethiopia ranges from 12% in Amhara [ 27 ] to 50.6% in Oromia [ 14 ]. The reason for those variations might be due to the difference in the study setting because two of the studies were conducted in hospitals and health centers, while five of the studies were conducted in hospitals only; this difference may result in variation in the prevalence of burnout.…”

“…On systematic review of the studies included in this review, gender (female sex), job insecurity, working environment, low interest in the profession, night shift, long hour workload, work experience, health status, and intention to leave current work are the major factors associated with burnout among nurses [ 14 – 16 , 25 ]. This review is similar to the systematic review done in sub-Saharan Africa wherein workload, interpersonal and professional conflict, emotional distress, and low social support are the factors associated with burnout among nurses [ 31 ].…”

Frequency of burnout syndrome in Internal Medicine residents of the Hospital de Clínicas

“…Varios estudios han demostrado la asociación entre el síndrome de BO y los factores de riesgo como el sexo masculino, la edad más joven, el trabajo extrahospitalario, trabajos en turnos extras, (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) con falta adecuada de sueño y mayor exigencia laboral entre otros factores de riesgo . Casi todos los estudios sobre el efecto del síndrome de BO concluyeron que los profesionales de la salud generalmente tenían un riesgo relativamente alto de agotamiento.…”

American College of Clinical Pharmacy Global Health Practice and Research Network's opinion paper: Pillars for global health engagement and key engagement strategies for pharmacists

“…Bhagavathula et al 108 This was a cross-sectional study that aimed to identify pharmacy students' perception of research in India, Pakistan and Malaysia. The study surveyed 348 students and identified the majority had no research experience but were interested in pursuing a research project.…”