WORK ASSOCIATED STRESS ON FEMALE MEDICAL HOUSE OFFICERS OF KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Stress is non-avoiding part of one's life. Evaluation of stress among medical professionals remains a key subject as it can improve the quality of services and outcomes of healthcare sector. Assessment of work associated stress in female medical house officers of Karachi with respect to age and marital status. Cross-sectional survey covered 106 female medical house officers, filled the standardized questionnaire withlO different questions and statistically analysed (PASW 18). Cronbach's alpha was 66.9%, age ranges of participants were 19 to 29 years with overall 44.70 ± 10.87 job stress score. Regression analysis showed that married females have 8 units more stress than unmarried females which need to address and resolve. Through correlation of factors, "high responsibility with low authority" was extremely significant (p≤ 0.005) in association with "lack of attention towards work, low rewards and social imbalance", while "job instability" significantly (p≤ 0.05) correlates with "job dissatisfaction and self-control at work". Principal factor analysis revealed some informative aspects like insecurity with work environment, disturbance within job, ownership of duties and mental disturbance. Ability to handle occupational issues and keep balance between professional and social lives is an important way to reduce stress. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]