Causes, Consequences And Coping Techniques Of Work Related Stress Among Nurses Vis-À-Vis Their Demographic Characteristics In Adama City

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine causes, consequences and coping techniques of work-related stress among nurses vis-à-vis their demographic characteristics in Adama City. To attain this objective descriptive study design was employed. The total numbers of nurses' who currently employed in both public and private health institutions were about 450. Among these, 40 (25 females and 15 males) nurses from private health institutions and 68 (53 female and 15 male) nurses from public health institutions were selected by using stratified and simple random sampling. Data were collected from participates through structured questionnaire and then analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson Correlations. The findings reveal that socio-demographics such as, sex, work place, work experience, nature of employment were found statistically significant differences on causes of work stress. Work experience (> 11 year of work experience group and educational status (degree educational status and diploma educational status of respondent were also reported statistically significant difference on coping techniques of work related stress among nurses (p <.05).These include, death and dying of patients, conflict with doctors and lack of support, inadequate preparation to deal with patients' needs were some of stressors. In other way, an increase in liability to legal claims, turnover and patients complain were highly reported as stress consequences whereas Quitting the job'', keep oneself busy to take mind off the issue, were some of coping techniques adopted among participants. At the end, providing counseling and guidance service, basic health safety training with specially emphasis on stressors nurses and also providing effective coping techniques of work related stress were recommended.