AN ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS, PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS AND COPING MECHANISMS OF BURNOUT AMONGST NURSING STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BUEA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31149/ijnps.v4i9.2991Keywords:
Awareness, Burnout, Coping mechanisms, Prevalence, Risk factors, UBAbstract
Nursing education is demanding and places students at risk of burnout. The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness, prevalence, risk factors and coping mechanisms of burnout among nursing students of the University of Buea. A mixed method study design was used. The study duration was seven months. A sample of 196 and 8 nursing students for the quantitative and qualitative studies were purposively selected to take part in the study from the University of Buea, Cameroon. Data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire and a focused group discussion guide, entered into an excel spreadsheet then analyzed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (BMI-SS). The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness, prevalence, identify risk factors, and investigate coping mechanisms of nursing students about burnout at the University of Buea. A School based cross-sectional study design was used, within the period of 7 months, with target population being nursing students at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea. Nursing students who met the inclusion criteria, with a calculated minimum sample size of 196 participants. purposive method was used in selecting research area, and participants respectively. A structured questionnaire and a focused group discussion guide was used to collect relevant data. The data collected was coded, information inputted in an excel spread sheet, and hardcopy stored in a private box all accessible only to the researcher. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 27 for windows. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. A total of 196 nursing students participated in this study. Majority of the participants were aware of burnout 178(90.8%). The prevalence of burnout among nursing students was relatively high 111(56.6%). The identified risk factors to burnout among nursing students are; high work load, poor work-life balance, exposure to traumatic events and lack of autonomy. The coping mechanisms to burnout used by nursing students involved support from friends/family, taking breaks during busy a day, seeking help from professional and engaging in activities that helped them relax. Nursing students should identify and use mechanisms that help them to better cope with burnout.
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