Relation between Job stress and Oxidative stress Biomarkers among Nurses in Zagazig University Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Nursing is highly demanding and stressful profession. Job stress was found to be a stronger predictor of oxidative stress activity causing elevation of blood oxidative biomarkers. This work aimed to improve mental and psychological health of nurses through identification of prevalence of work stress among nurses at Zagazig university hospitals (ZUHs) and assess the association between work stress and blood oxidative biomarkers. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 40 nurses and 40 administrative workers at ZUHs. Both two groups were subjected to a structured questionnaire about sociodemographic data and occupational history and two standardized questionnaires about job stress followed by laboratory investigations to measure blood oxidative biomarkers (Malonaldehyde MDA & Superoxide dismutase SOD). Results: This study showed that job stress and its level were significantly higher among nurses compared to their controls. this study indicated that prevalence of job stress in nurses at ZUHs was 85.0% compared to 22.5% in administrative controls where 65.0% and 20.0% of them had severe and moderate stress compared to 7.5% and 15.0% among controls.Furthermore, this study showed significantly high level of both blood oxidative biomarkers as both levels of MDA, [ Median (3.18) mol/ml] and SOD, [X±SD: 4.27± 0.40 U/ml] were significantly higher among nurses compared to their controls Conclusion: Job stress is realistic and widespread phenomena among nurses in ZUHs that have devastating consequences on nurse's health thus, effective preventive strategies should be designed and implemented.

Studying the Association Between Occupational Stress and Urinary Levels of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers (8-OHdG and Biopyrrins) in Brickfield Workers

“…On the other hand, the administrative control workers are considered not to experience job stress as the brickfield workers due to the less exhausting nature of their work and having fixed day shifts of less than 48 working hours per week. Similar results were obtained by a recent study that showed significantly higher levels of job stress among nurses compared with the administrative controls 31 …”

“…Similar results were obtained by a recent study that showed significantly higher levels of job stress among nurses compared with the administrative controls. 31 Obviously, all the surrounding workplace conditions in the brick manufacturing industry could favor a considerable status of oxidative stress; however, generally, job or life stress especially chronic stress was found to be a stronger predictor of oxidative stress activity than other established oxidant-promoting factors such as environmental or occupational exposures that could result in elevation of biomarkers of oxidative stress. 32 Moreover, under both normal and pathological conditions, ROS are generated in the cytosol, mitochondria, lysosomes, peroxisomes, and plasma membranes in the human body; their levels can be elevated by stressful conditions such as OS.…”

Effectiveness of educational intervention on reducing oxidative stress caused by occupational stress in nurses

“…MDA and SOD levels among nurses were significantly higher than the office employee group (control). [ 24 ] The study by Yau et al . also agreed with our findings and was aimed at determining the amount of occupational stress as well as stress-inducing factors in the Zhuhai hospital in China.…”