SOURCES OF STRESS AND STRESS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AT NATIONAL ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL IN ENUGU EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to investigate the sources of stress and stress management practices among healthcare professionals at National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu. Nine research questions were posited and six hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The simple random sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 221 out of 437 Healthcare professionals (HCPs). The instrument for data collection was a researcher’s designed questionnaire. The instrument was subjected to reliability test using the split half method. The data collected were analyzed using mean and percentages for research questions (1 – 9) while the null hypotheses were tested using Chi – square (χ2) statistics. The result revealed five sources of stress to healthcare professionals which are role conflict (overall x = 2.58), role ambiguity (overall x = 2.84), workload (overall x = 2.64), performance pressure (overall x = 2.55) and Home work interface (overall x = 2.41). HCPs adopted stress management practices which include relaxation (81.4%), application of humor in relationship (81.4%), sleeping (79.5%) and listening to music or watching movies (73.5%), ecclesiastical therapy (59.3%), physical exercises (55.2%) and drinking waterr (52.5%). and job related stress management practices such as taking a break at work (87.8%), setting achievable goals (80.5%), engagement in positive and realistic self-talk (76.9%), planning of work (76.0%), defining duty clearly (73.3%) and delegation of duties (65.2%) were adopted by healthcare professionals. The independent variables of gender, job type and age considered had significant difference at .05 level of significant on the stress management practices among HCPs (Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacist, Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and Allied Healthcare professionals (AHP), at National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu. Based on the findings and conclusions, the researcher recommended among other things that the workload of the healthcare professionals can be reduced by employing more professionals hereby reducing stress. Also, efforts should be made by the federal government to equip the wards, theatres, medical laboratories and other necessary department with sophisticated equipment that will speed up work and reduce stress.