prevalence and associated factors of occupational stress among nurses in Kabul University of Medical Sciences Teaching hospitals

Abstract

Background: Occupational stress is a mental and physical challenge that causes high rates of absence at work, exhaustion, and turnover. Nursing is thought of as one of the most demanding and stressful occupations. Job-related stress is a recognized health problem among nurses. Nurses suffer from stress and health problems owing to the features of their occupation, their contact with patients, and their death.  This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of occupational stress among nurses in Kabul University of Medical Sciences Teaching hospitals.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 193 nurses working at Kabul University of Medical Sciences teaching hospitals. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire (Expanded Nursing Stress Scale) and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistical Version 25. 

Results: The study was conducted among 193 nurses, including 59.6% females and 40.4% males. Most of the participants (62.7%) were less than 30 years old and married (58.5%). The majority (60.0%) of the participants had a bachelor's degree and 57.0% had less than five -years of working experience. Prevalence of the occupational stress was found 54.0%. Nurses, who were under 30 years of age and who had a diploma degree experienced more stress (57.0%and 55.3% respectively). Regarding the source of stress, inadequate emotional preparation, workload, and patients' and their families' emotions were the main sources of stress.

Conclusion: In this study, more than half of the nurses reported being occupationally high stressed. Inadequate emotional preparation, workload, patients' and their families' emotions were the main factors associated with stress.