ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Burnout among healthcare workers in health institutions has reached alarming levels globally, including in Nigeria, due to the demanding nature of their work and organizational factors. Although interventions exist, addressing the root causes of burnout and enhancing workplace conditions remain essential to improve health workers' well-being and ensure patient safety. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the burnout among healthcare workers in University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City, Edo State with a view to improve the health of healthcare workers. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers in University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Respondents were selected using a stratified sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the Maslach Burnout Inventory, covering socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence, determinants, consequences, and coping strategies of burnout. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. RESULT: The mean age of respondents was 31.98±8.07 years, with 51.1% aged 20-29. Female respondents comprised 62.7%, and the majority (96.1%) were Christian. Burnout prevalence was 51.1%, significantly higher in the 20-29 age group (57.7%) compared to others (χ²=10.663; p=0.014). Female respondents experienced more burnout (53.9%), but this was not statistically significant (χ²=2.580; p=0.108). Longer career duration correlated with lower burnout (χ²=17.279; p=0.002). Burnout was associated with on-call hours; those on call for 48-72 hours (OR=2.054; p=0.025) and over 72 hours (OR=2.434; p=0.007) showed higher burnout rates. Key stressors included time pressure (80.2%), insufficient sleep xii (89.5%), and frequent hospital calls (77.9%). Coping strategies revealed 77.5% used positive methods, while 16.3% used negative ones. Age and career length significantly influenced coping strategies (χ²=8.986; p=0.029; χ²=11.046; p=0.026). CONCLUSION: Overall, the study found a significant burnout prevalence of 51.1% among healthcare workers in University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City, driven by factors such as time pressure, insufficient sleep, and inadequate facilities. The consequences of burnout included increased susceptibility to illness, absenteeism, and emotional problems, though many workers employed positive coping strategies to manage their stress. Keywords: Burnout, Healthcare workers, Benin City, Edo State, Prevalence, Determinants, Consequences, Coping strategies, Maslach Burnout Inventor
