Prevalence of burnout syndrome and its health effects among academic staff at Muhimbili university of health and allied sciences, Dar es salaam Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Burnout syndrome has been defined as a state of Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalisation, and a decreased sense of Personal Accomplishment caused by long term involvement in situations that are emotionally demanding. Burnout syndrome reflects a process of deteriorating energetic resources and therefore, it is reasonable to assume that it will predict reduction in individual’s perceived health status. Objective: the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome and its health effects among academic staff at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study that recruited a total population of all eligible academic staff in all schools and institution at MUHAS. Three instruments were used which include Social Demographic Questionnaire developed by researcher to collected information related to personal particulars; subject’s duties, responsibilities and their work schedules. Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to assess three aspects of burnout syndrome, and the General Health Questionnaire was also used to measure current burnout syndrome health effects exhibited by psychological distress. Data were collected using anonymously completed questionnaires. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 17. Burnout scores were used to obtain scores for Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization and Personal Accomplishment of MBI. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square test and Logistic regression. Results: A total of 148 (49%) of academic staff responded. All respondents experience some level burnout in all three dimensions. The prevalence of burnout syndrome was 31.8% where 8.1% had high degree of burnout syndrome, 9.5% had average and 14.2% had low. High risk factors which were associated with burnout syndrome was observed in 41 – 50 age group [OR = 9.21 (3.62 – 23.41) p < 0.001], being a lecturer, spending 21 to 25 years in current institution [OR = 2.39 (0.00 – 0.19)], and taking annual leave often [OR = 1.39 (0.09 –0.70)]. However being senior, professor, and working in fixed terms were protective factors that were associated with burnout syndrome. Respondents who experience average and high psychological distress were significantly associated with burnout syndrome p 0.003 and p 0.035 respectively. Conclusion: This study contributes to the potential usefulness of the MBI to predict and explain the prevalence of academician burnout in developing countries like Tanzania. Presence of burnout syndrome and psychological distress among the respondents greatly affects work performance. Burnout is a serious academic issue which increases the scope of research in the area of academic staff burnout.