Abstract:
Background
Burnout syndrome among both doctors in practice and training has reached epidemic
levels, with prevalence near to or exceeding 50%. However, uncertainties exist about the
prevalence of burnout syndrome among resident doctors in our settings. In addition,
associations between burnout and gender, age, specialty, and geographical location of
training remain unclear.
The objective of the study: To determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome and its
associated factors among MUHAS resident doctors at tertiary teaching hospitals in Dar es
Salaam.
Methodology; A cross-sectional study of 398 resident doctors from the Muhimbili
University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) practicing at tertiary teaching
hospitals. Data was collected using a printed structured questionnaire which had two
sections: Section one; Socio-demographic and professional characteristics and section two
a validated instrument Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) for burnout evaluation. The
obtained data were analyzed by Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 23.
Continuous variables were summarized using the mean and standard deviation or median
and interquartile range depending on their spread. Categorical variables were summarized
using proportion and percentage. The chi-square test and multivariate logistic regressions
were used to find the association between independent variables and the dependent
variable. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: 398 residents participated in this study. The prevalence of burnout syndrome was
33.7%. Our study found that inadequate support from residency program supervisors,
work-family related conflicts, stressful call perception, and each added year of study to be
independently associated with burnout with odds ratios of (OR=1.97, 95%CI [1.23,3.14];
p=0.005), (OR=3.2; 95% CI [1.35,7.71]; p=0.008), (OR=3.31; 95% CI [1.90,5.76]
p<0.001) and, (OR=1.5; 95% CI[1.23.3.14]; p=0.011) respectively. However, no significant association was found between burnout and age, marital status, specialty, year
of experience, or number of call duty.
Conclusion and Recommendation; Burnout syndrome prevalence is high among resident
doctors in our setting and several factors such as poor support from residence program
supervisors, year of residence are associated with it. Considering the high prevalence and
its consequences there is a need for directing preventive and intervention measures in the
residency training program. However, studies providing information on the state of
burnout and its correlates among Tanzania residents are still very limited, hence more
research are needed, to make a strong policy.
