Determinants of Work-Related Stress Among Nurses Working in Private and Public Hospitals in Dessie City, 2021: Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background

Globally, work-related stress had a significant impact on health-care providers. Private and public health-care institutions are considered intensive work areas for work-related stress. In Ethiopia, most studies were focused on only public hospitals. However, this study aimed to include private and public hospitals.

Methods

A hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 304 nurses working in public and private hospitals from 8 April to 7 May 2021. A simple random sampling technique was used to select nurses, and the data were collected using a standardized self-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into Epidata version 4.6.1 and then exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were applied. The final multivariate regression declared significant determinants at a p-value <0.05 and a 95% confidence interval with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) to reveal the strength of associated variables.

Results

In this study, the overall magnitude of work-related stress among nurses was 48.4% (95% CI: 42.4–54.6) (51.6% among public hospitals and 46.4% for private hospitals). Bachelor nurses (AOR=0.32,95% CI:0.13,0.76), working in operation room (AOR=7.89, 95% CI:1.46,9.60) and job dissatisfaction (AOR=4.95, 95% CI: 1.94,2.61) were determinants of work-stress in private hospitals whereas being female (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI: 1.43, 6.92), working experience 5 to 10 years (AOR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.97), having degree and above (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.99) and working in intensive care unit (AOR = 6.48, 95% CI:1.49, 8.18) were determinants of work-related stress in public hospitals.

Conclusion

The overall magnitude of work-related stress among nurses in Dessie city was almost half. In contrast, more work-related stress among nurses working in public hospitals than in private hospitals. Sex, operating (working) unit, working experience, and type of institution were work-related stress determinants in public and private hospitals. Hence, reducing workload and providing stress management training is crucial to reducing work-related stress among nurses.

Keywords:

• determinants
• nurses
• work related stress

Abbreviations

AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; AOR, Adjusted Odds Ratio; ASSIST, Alcohol; Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test; BSc, Bachelor of Science; CI, Confidence Interval; ED, Emergency Department; ENSS, Expanded Nursing Stress Scale; ICU, Intensive Care Unit; OPD, Out Patient Department; OR, Operation Room; SPSS, Statistical Package for Social Science; WHO, World Health Organization; WRS, Work-Related Stress.

Data Sharing Statement

The data used for the study are available from the corresponding author at any time.

Ethical Consideration

An ethical letter was obtained from the institutional review board (IRB) of Wollo University, and letter of permission was obtained from chief executive officers of the study hospitals. Informed consent was obtained from the study participants prior to study commencement. The objective of the study was clearly explained to the study participants. Data were collected anonymously to ensure confidentiality, and all data collection was conducted in compliance with the declaration of Helsinki.

Consent for Publication

Not applicable. No individual personal details, images, or videos are being used in this study.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank data collectors, supervisors and the study participants for their valuable contribution to the study.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

This study is not funded by any organization.