Work – Related Stress among Healthcare Workers in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria: A Study of Sources, Effects, and Coping Strategies (Published)
Work Related Stress (WRS) is the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker in the work environment. Hospital work stress is a nosocomial stress characterized by stressors like; work over load, under – staffing, use of redundant equipment, poor promotion, poor managerial relationship with staff, poor working environment, excessive/prolonged working hours, etc. This study sought to determine the work – related stress among healthcare workers in Ugep. Data were collected using primary and secondary source. 198 semi–structured questionnaires were designed/administered through purposive sampling. Data generated were analysed using descriptive statistics such as mean, percentages, and illustrative graphs. Results and findings showed that 180 (92.8%) healthcare workers felt stressed at work due to two or more of the following factors; work over-load, emergencies, adhoc duties (3.5%), lack of equipment (30.8%), poor work environment, poor managerial support, poor staff attitude to work and fellow staff (29.8%). Findings from this study also showed that headaches/migraine (76.3%), poor concentration (11.6%), and loss of work interest (10.1%) were the major effects of WRS. The study demonstrates that there is significant relationship between work – related stress on healthcare workers and service delivery, work over – load and increase in work stress, and poor managerial relationship/support and staff attitude to service delivery. This study recommends that, stress reduction strategies and management interventions lie in the adoption of both managerial/organizational interventions that reduce stress at source and to some extent involves the application of individual (staff) interventions. Reducing and managing the level of nosocomial stress will go a long way to positively influence service delivery. Healthcare workers tend to work more efficiently in a comfortable, safe and protective environment where there are sufficient equipment, proper remuneration, management interest on staff welfare, proper management of shifts and days off as well as staff involvement in issues and decisions that concerns their job and over – all well – being.
Keywords: Coping Strategies, Healthcare Workers, Nosocomial Stress, Patient., Stress, Work-related Stress