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ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The phenomenon of burnout among academic personnel has emerged as a pressing issue within higher educational institutions globally. Burnout can severely impact both personal wellbeing and the overall productivity of the institution. By assessing the distinct prevalence of burnout within institutions, stakeholders can gain a clearer understanding of the extent of the issue and formulate focused interventions. OBJECTIVES: To assess knowledge of burnout and its prevention, to assess attitude towards burnout and its prevention, to determine the prevalence of burnout and to identify factors influencing burnout among university academic staff in Benin city, Edo state. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 309 academic staff selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured interviewer- administered questionnaire which was adapted from The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and others. using a questionnaire administered to 309 academic staff at both campuses of the University of Benin. Data collected was analyzed with SPSS 27.0 and categorical data was presented in frequency tables. Univariate and Bivariate analysis were carried out for all variables. Multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was done to determine the predictors of burnout. The level of significance was set at <0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Chi-square and Fischer’s Exact tests examined relationships between demographic characteristics respondents’ knowledge, attitude, prevalence and factors influencing burnout. RESULTS: Approximately four-fifths, 233 (75.4%) of the total respondents (309), had heard of the term burnout. Among these, majority; 194 (83.3%) had good knowledge while less than one-fifth of respondents; 39(16.7%) had poor knowledge. More than four-fifth; 268(86.7%) had positive attitude while more than onetenth; 41(13.3%) had negative attitude towards burnout. A little above four-fifth of the respondents; 254(82.2%) had experienced burnout while about one-fifth; 55(17.8%) had never experienced burnout. 15 CONCLUSION: The overall knowledge of burnout among academic staff is high as this was reflected in their attitudes as significant majority of the respondents showed positive attitudes towards their work environment. Burnout was prevalent, with over four-fifths of respondents having experienced it. Emotional exhaustion was the most common symptom, followed by depersonalization and lack of personal accomplishment. Key contributors to burnout included increased workloads, lack of research funding, and poor work environments. Many staff reported working extra hours, which intensified stress levels. The Government and Employers should augment financial support for academic institutions to ensure sufficient staffing levels and alleviate workload demands. Furthermore, it is essential to reassess and enhance compensation packages to account for inflation and elevate job satisfaction. KEYWORDS: academic staff, knowledge, attitude, prevalence, and burnout.
