Prevalence and factors associated with healthcare provider burnout at Benjamin Mkapa hospital in Dodoma

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Healthcare provider burnout has been on the rise, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited resources. Most healthcare providers are faced with stressful situations being in the forefront of taking care of patients coupled with institutional factors and individual factors, which impacts their well-being. Burnout can manifest as physical or mental symptoms, which can be detrimental to the healthcare provider and compromise the quality of healthcare, and thus finally affecting the patient. Thus, this research aimed at shedding light at this phenomenon that has been on the rise affecting health personnel. Objective: The study assessed the prevalence of burnout among health care providers and its associated factors at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Dodoma. Methodology: The study utilized a cross-sectional analytical design with a quantitative approach. The Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey was employed as the data collection tool. Stratified sampling was used to select 223 participants from the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital. Descriptive statistics was used to characterize study respondents and estimate prevalence of burnout. Chi-square test was used to examine association between independent variables to burnout. Multivariable logistic regression was used in analysis, and used to determine relationship between work-related, socio demographic and behavioral factors with burnout among healthcare providers. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27, with a significance level set at 95% for all statistical tests. Results: A total of 223 healthcare workers were invited to participate in the study through questionnaires. Of these, 202 questionnaires were eligible for analysis. The prevalence of burnout among the participants was 57%, with 64.4% of them exhibiting a high level of emotional exhaustion. Factors such as less years of practice, inadequate staffing, and stressful call duties were found to be associated with increased burnout among work vi related factors. Regarding socio-demographic and behavioral factors, only the age of the healthcare worker was significantly linked to burnout. Conclusion and recommendations: The study revealed a concerning prevalence of burnout among healthcare workers at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital. Regular assessment of staff well-being, mentor-ship programs, flexible work hours and adequate rest periods are recommendations. Additional research is needed to fully understand the extent and underlying reasons for burnout among healthcare workers in other healthcare settings.