Factors Associated With Burnout Among Nurses at International Hospital Kampala (IHK)

Abstract

Introduction: Burnout is a psychological syndrome involving physical depletion, feelings of helplessness, negative self-concept, and negative attitudes towards work, life, and others. Burnout is a problem among health care professionals and nurses are found to be vulnerable. It is associated with a decrease in occupational well-being and increase in absenteeism, turnover and illness.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with burnout among nurses at International Hospital Kampala (IHK).

Methods: Analytical cross-sectional design was used. Data was collected from a sample of 120 nurses using questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) tools. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Microsoft excel.

Results: The prevalence of burnout within the MBI subscales was highest in the subscale of personal accomplishment (PA) - 72.5%), followed by Depersonalization (DP) – 66.8% and Emotional Exhaustion (EE) - 61.7%. Overall prevalence of burnout among was 66.95%. Nurses with high burnout had the lowest level of personal accomplishment-18.33% while nurses with low burnout had the highest level of personal accomplishment-72.5%. Age (X²₍₂₎ =6.670, p=0.036) was associated with burnout. Respondent years in service was more highly associated with burnout (X²₍₂₎ = 10.961, p=0.004). Job satisfaction (X²₍₁₎ = 4.361, p=0.037) was associated with burnout. Emotional Exhaustion (EE) of the respondents (X²₍₂₎ =29.197, p=0.000) was associated with burnout. Many nurses, 61(50.8%) had EE and burnout. Depersonalization (DP) (X²₍₂₎ =72.803, p=0.000) was also associated with burnout. Hours worked in a day (X²₍₁₎ =72.803, p=0.016) was associated with burnout. Getting social support at work (X²₍₁₎ =72.803, p=0.016) was associated with burnout, thus 48(40.0%) of the nurses who got social support had burnout.

Conclusion: The prevalence of burnout is quite high among nurses.