ABSTRACT
Background: The healthcare industry is known for its challenging and high-stress work environment, which can significantly impact the sleep quality and overall quality of life (QoL) of healthcare practitioners. Prolonged work-related stress can lead to various negative consequences, including fatigue, anxiety, depression, and reduced work performance, ultimately affecting patient outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the influence of work-related stress on the sleep quality and QoL of healthcare practitioners at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study involved 150 healthcare practitioners (House Officers, Intern Pharmacists, and Medical Laboratory Scientists) who had worked for at least 3 months at UBTH. Participants completed questionnaires to assess their sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), QoL (WHOQOL-BREF), and work-related stress (Work Stress Questionnaire). Spearman's correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between work-related stress and the various aspects of sleep quality and QoL. Results: The study found that 58.7% of the participants experienced poor sleep quality. Workrelated stress was significantly associated with various aspects of sleep quality and QoL. Influence at work was negatively correlated with the psychological health domain of QoL. Perceived stress due to indistinct organization and conflicts was negatively associated with the social interaction domain of QoL. Conversely, perceived stress due to individual demands and commitment was positively associated with the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains of QoL. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the significant impact of work-related stress on the sleep quality and QoL of healthcare practitioners at UBTH. Interventions to address workrelated stress and promote the well-being of healthcare practitioners are crucial to ensure optimal patient care and professional satisfaction. Implementing strategies to manage work-related stress, such as providing better work-life balance, improving organizational support, and offering stress management programs, may help enhance the sleep quality and overall QoL of healthcare practitioners. Keywords: Work-related stress, sleep quality, quality of life, healthcare practitioners, University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
