Burnout, Associated Determinants and Effects among Nurses and Midwives at Selected CHAG Facilities in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background Burnout among nurses and midwives is a public health concern due to its rapidly increasing prevalence. Although several studies have explored burnout among nurses in general, research specifically focusing on burnout among nurses and midwives in faith-based health facilities remains limited. Objective We investigated burnout, associated determinants and effects among nurses and midwives in selected CHAG facilities in the greater Accra region, Ghana. Methods The study recruited 266 nurses and midwives, using a structured questionnaire. Proportionate sampling technique was used to sample nurses and midwives from the selected CHAG facilities. The Maslach Burnout Inventory survey tool was used to assess data on the determinants and effects of burnouts among study participants. Next, Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with burnout. Results The majority (78.6%) were females aged between 30–39 years. About a third of the nurses and midwives (34.22%) reported experiencing high level of burnout. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, being Muslim [OR = 3.54; 95% CI: 1.08, 11.61; p = 0.037], working at the emergency department [OR = 2.93; 95% CI; 1.09, 7.92; p = 0.034], working at the paediatric ward [OR = 7.82; 95% CI: 1.65, 37.18; p = 0.010] and having items to work with more than half of the time [OR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.24; p = 0.000] were found to be associated with burnout among nurses and midwives. The effects of burnout included insomnia, irritability, sleep disorders, depression, cardiovascular disease, drug abuse, increased alcohol intake, absenteeism, and reduced productivity. Conclusion Nurses and midwives in the three selected CHAG facilities in Accra experienced high levels of burnout. In-service training on building good interpersonal relationship among nurses and midwives, adequate staffing and training on coping mechanism is encouraged.