Prevalence and Associated Factors of Workplace Stress among Nurses in Primary Health Centres in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Workplace stress is a major occupational health concern among nurses, especially in Primary Health Centres, where service demands often exceed available staffing, resources and organisational support. This study examined the prevalence of workplace stress and its associated factors among nurses in Primary Health Centres in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, and was guided by two objectives and two research questions. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. The population of the study comprised 186 registered nurses working in publicly funded Primary Health Centres in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area. A sample of 147 nurses was selected using stratified consecutive sampling. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire that contained socio-demographic information, workplace stress items adapted from the Perceived Stress Scale, and items on factors associated with workplace stress. The instrument was validated by experts in Nursing Science and research methodology. Reliability coefficients of 0.83 and 0.71 were obtained for the two relevant sections of the questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS, version 27.0. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and chi-square analysis were used to address the research objectives at the 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that 64.6% of the nurses had moderate workplace stress, while 35.4% had high workplace stress, and no respondent had low workplace stress. Workplace stress among the nurses was most strongly associated with time pressure in completing tasks (77.6%), multitasking demands (76.2%), heavy workload (74.1%) and inadequate management support (74.1%); inadequate work resources and poor work-life balance each accounted for 71.4%, while lack of recognition and working beyond regular hours were each reported by 68.0%. Workplace stress was significantly associated with age (p = .004), educational qualification (p = .002), years of experience (p = .001) and work location (p = .008). The study concludes that workplace stress among PHC nurses in Obio-Akpor is mainly shaped by organisational and job-demand factors.