Burnout among doctors and nurses at university of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, South-South Nigeria

Background: Burnout is an occupational hazard prevalent in people-oriented services and is characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and reduced sense of personal accomplishment (PA). Objective: The research was conducted to determine the occurrence of burnout and its associated factors among doctors and nurses at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, South-South Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used on a sample of 320 doctors and nurses at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital that were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire containing the Maslach Burnout Inventory Survey among others was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 and statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: Of 320 respondents, 76 (23.8%), 90 (28.1%), and 154 (48.1%) had high, moderate, and low EE, respectively. Furthermore, 47 (14.7%), 67 (20.9%), and 206 (64.4%) had high, moderate, and low DP, respectively while 96 (30%), 77 (24.1%), and 147 (45.9%) had low, moderate, and high PA, respectively. The prevalence of burnout syndrome was 4.7%. Significant factors associated with burnout included monthly earning (P = 0.020), professional grouping (P = 0.008) and days off work (P = 0.037). Specifically, doctors had higher levels of EE in comparison to the nurses (P = 0.005). Furthermore, those that were not satisfied with their jobs had high EE and high DP compared to those that had job satisfaction (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of burnout syndrome was low and work-related characteristics played a significant role in the development of the phenomemon of burnout syndrome. Employers of health workers will need to create an enabling workplace environment where undue stress is minimal.