Sources and Impact of Work-Related Stress Among HIV/AIDS Health Care Providers in Guangxi, China: A Qualitative Research

Abstract

Work-related stress can negatively impact health care providers’ (HCPs) ability to provide care. We examined the sources of work-related stress experienced by HCPs who provided medical care for people living with HIV/AIDS and the impact of the stress on HCPs’ well-being and work performance. We conducted in-depth interviews with 46 HIV/AIDS HCPs in Guangxi, China. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and imported into NVivo V.11 for data management and data analysis using a thematic approach. We found that the key sources of stress at work included general work-related sources and HIV/AIDS-related sources. All stress was seen to have a substantial impact on the HCPs’ individual well-being, family and social life, and quality of care they provided. We recommended that government and health care facilities should take measures to improve institutional culture and professional development for HIV/AIDS HCPs. More professional training schemes should be provided to strengthen HCPs’ competence, improve universal protection from occupational exposure, and reduce the stigma toward HIV/AIDS patients and their care providers.

Stress and Coping in Nurses Taking Care of People Living with HIV in Hunan, China: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

“…Our study indicates several adverse effects of work-related stress, including problems in emotion regulation, sleep, somatic health, work quality, and relationship with family members. This finding is consistent with previous studies that showed a substantial impact of work-related stress on health care providers working with HIV/AIDS or other diseases, affecting their emotional stability, 3 individual well-being (digestive disorders, cardiovascular disorders, sleep disorders, and poor immunity function), family and social life, 16 , 31 , 32 and quality of care. 16 The health status of health care workers has been found to have a moderate direct positive effect on the quality of health care.…”

“…This finding is consistent with previous studies that showed a substantial impact of work-related stress on health care providers working with HIV/AIDS or other diseases, affecting their emotional stability, 3 individual well-being (digestive disorders, cardiovascular disorders, sleep disorders, and poor immunity function), family and social life, 16 , 31 , 32 and quality of care. 16 The health status of health care workers has been found to have a moderate direct positive effect on the quality of health care. 33 Protection motivation theory (PMT) suggests that when health professionals are in good health, they usually provide better health care for patients, especially if they receive service health education and understand health-related behaviors.…”

“…This suggests that stigma associated with caring for PLWH is a significant occupational stress for nurses. 15 , 16 , 36 , 37 Nurses who care for PLWH tend to be discriminated against by society and even by colleagues, friends, and family. 16 , 31 However, similar findings are generally not reported in studies conducted on nurses caring for PLWH in developed countries.…”

“…15 , 16 , 36 , 37 Nurses who care for PLWH tend to be discriminated against by society and even by colleagues, friends, and family. 16 , 31 However, similar findings are generally not reported in studies conducted on nurses caring for PLWH in developed countries. In Chinese culture, due to the low rate of HIV-related knowledge, there are widespread misconceptions about the condition, especially among people who do not work in the medical field.…”

“…Furthermore, knowledge about the policies, procedures, universal precautions, and post-exposure prophylaxis in medical settings is reportedly insufficient in China. 16 Many factors contribute to stigma and discrimination in health care settings, including lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and universal precautions, 38 , 39 fear of transmission, 39 and viewing HIV/AIDS as a consequence of immoral or illegal behaviors such as engaging in sex work, promiscuity, homosexuality, or drug use. 39 …”