Occupational stressors experienced by healthcare professionals in the course of the COVID-19 crisis

Alma U. Zamurayeva, Taurzhan K. Aldabergenova, Aigerim T. Zhunussova, Roza K. Pshembayeva, Zhanna B. Zhilkibayeva, Feruza S. Sarsenbayeva, Anthony A. Eniola, John D. Ojeka

Abstract

The novel coronavirus has significantly impacted healthcare systems worldwide, exposing healthcare professionals (HCPs) to work-related stressors to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This study aimed to assess the occupational stress of HCPs in Lagos State, Nigeria, using a qualitative approach. The study involved nine HCPs from various departments, including doctors, nurses, and medical laboratory technicians. The main causes of stress were workload, policy changes, and extended use of personal protective gear. The study found high levels of occupational stress among HCPs, with workload being the main cause. The impact of the disease outbreak crisis on HCPs' lives and work demands was observed, with occupational demands categorized into safety risk at work and public perceptions. Employers and unions must respond to HCPs' needs for workplace protection and appropriate help to address stressors.

Full Text:

PDF

References

Eniola AA, editor. Entrepreneurship and Post-Pandemic

Future. Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited; 2022.

Eniola AA, Iwu CG and Opute AP. The future of

entrepreneurship in Africa: Challenges and

opportunities post-pandemic. 1st ed. New York:

Taylor and Francis; 2022. 1-240 p.

Aldabergenova TK, Eniola AA, Orynbayeva B-AS,

Sarsenbayeva FS, Askarova NS and Shitu S.

Exploration of Mental Health and Well-Being of

Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19

Pandemic. Global Journal on Quality and Safety in

Healthcare. 2024. doi: 10.36401/jqsh-23-47.

Tomaszewska K, Majchrowicz B, Snarska K and Telega D.

Stress and Occupational Burnout of Nurses Working

with COVID-19 Patients. Int J Environ Res Public

Health. 2022;19(19). Epub 2022/10/15. doi:

3390/ijerph191912688.

PubMed

PMID:

; PMCID: PMC9566059.

Xiaoming X, Ming A, Su H, Wo W, Jianmei C, Qi Z, Hua

H, Xuemei L, Lixia W and Jun C. The psychological

status of 8817 hospital workers during COVID-19

Epidemic: A cross-sectional study in Chongqing.

Journal of affective disorders. 2020;276:555-61.

Okoroiwu HU, Ogar CO, Nja GME, Abunimye DA and

Ejemot-Nwadiaro RI. COVID-19 in Nigeria: account

of epidemiological events, response, management,

preventions

and

;11(3):391-402.

lessons

learned.

Germs.

Epub 2021/11/02. doi:

18683/germs.2021.1276.

PubMed

; PMCID: PMC8548039.

PMID:

Coker AO, Coker O and Sanni D. Psychometric properties

of the 21-item depression anxiety stress scale

(DASS-21).

African

;12(2):135-42.

Research

Review.

Sarkar S, Gupta R and Menon V. A systematic review of

depression, anxiety, and stress among medical

students in India. Journal of Mental Health and

Human Behaviour. 2017;22(2):88-.

Olude OA, Odeyemi K, Kanma-Okafor OJ, Badru OA,

Bashir SA, Olusegun JO and Atilola O. Mental

health status of doctors and nurses in a Nigerian

tertiary hospital: A COVID-19 experience. The

South African journal of psychiatry : SAJP : the

journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South

Africa. 2022;28:1904. Epub 2022/11/08. doi:

4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1904. PubMed PMID:

; PMCID: PMC9634655.

Bakker AB and Demerouti E. The job demandsā€resources

model: State of the art. Journal of managerial

psychology. 2007;22(3):309-28.

Demerouti E, Bakker AB, Nachreiner F and Schaufeli WB.

The job demands-resources model of burnout.

Journal of Applied psychology. 2001;86(3):499.

Daud MIB. Occupational Stressors Among Healthcare

Workers In Hospital Seberang Jaya During

Pandemic Covid-19: A Qualitative Study. UUM:

Universiti Utara Malaysia; 2021.

Alizadeh A, Khankeh HR, Barati M, Ahmadi Y, Hadian A

and Azizi M. Psychological distress among Iranian

health-care providers exposed to coronavirus disease

(COVID-19): a qualitative study. BMC

psychiatry. 2020;20:1-10.

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.