Effects of Occupational Stressors Impacting the Nursing Profession in Uganda, a Case of Nurses who cared for COVID-19 Patients at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2024-07-18
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
King Ceasor University, Institutional Repository
Abstract
The study investigated the effects of occupational stressors impacting the nursing profession in Uganda, a case of nurses who cared for COVID-19 patients at Mulago National Referral Hospital. The specific objectives of the study were to find out the relationship between occupational stressors and nurses’ professionals, examine the impact of occupational stressors on nurses’ professionals in MNRH, and identify the possible measures for addressing occupational stressors of nursing professionals in MNRH. The study adopted a descriptive research design consisting of mainly quantitative approaches to make valid and insightful conclusions. The study was conducted in Mulago National Referral Hospital, with the target population that mainly comprised of nurses who nursed post-patients considering they have the required knowledge about the area of investigation. The study used both probability and non-probability sampling designs. The nonprobability sampling design included purposive sampling while the probabilistic sampling design specifically simple random sampling was adopted during the study. Interviews were conducted with a sample size of 100 respondents purposively estimated using a self-administered structured questionnaire.
The study findings revealed the fear of getting infected (reported by 66% of the respondents) followed by the fear of transferring the disease to their family members (reported by 53% of the respondents) as the greatest stress factor experienced. Additionally, a high proportion
(59%) of respondents noted the workload to have increased. These had an impact on nurses’ effectiveness in delivering healthcare some of the impacts; affect the relationship between nurses and their patients, lead to poor patient care, it leads to low morale at work, stressors can lead to no care of patients, and stressors can also lead to depression. However, the respondents proposed measures of addressing occupational stressors as encouraging workplace wellness (reported by 45%), encouraging workplace wellness (reported by 50%) allowing for flexible hours and remote working (45%). The study recommended that there should be interventions that eradicate some of these stressors. Nurse’s ability to cope with the demands and stress of work may be improved with specific occupational health education and specific training programs that improve their knowledge and ability. Also, interventions at the hospital level, including additional supervisor support, staff recognition policies, and more break provisions, may prove helpful to a more supportive work environment establishment, preventing stress on a primary level.
Description
Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda.