Prevalence and Impact of Perceived Job Stress on Work Output among Public Health Nurses in Selected Healthcare Facilities in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Adikabue Imomosumu *
Africa Center for Public Health and Toxicological Research, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Abiodun Bamidele Adelowo
Africa Center for Public Health and Toxicological Research, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study assessed the prevalence and impact of perceived job stress on work output among public health nurses in selected healthcare facilities in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Methods: A descriptive survey design was used. Three hundred and four public health nurses were selected from an estimated population of 900 nurses working in public healthcare facilities in Bayelsa State using the Taro Yamane sample size determination formula. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire, validated by the researcher’s supervisor. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, which yielded an index of 0.85. Data were analysed using simple percentages, while chi-square statistics were used to test the null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance.
Results: Respondents were predominantly female (179; 58.88%), while 125 (41.12%) were male. The largest age group was 35–44 years (99; 32.57%), followed by those aged 55 years and above (61; 20.06%). The findings indicated a high prevalence of perceived job stress among the nurses. Perceived job stress was associated with reduced efficiency, reduced quality of care, low job satisfaction, impaired focus, mental exhaustion and difficulties in communication and decision-making.
Conclusion: The study found that perceived job stress was a relevant concern among public health nurses in the selected facilities and had implications for work output. Excessive workload, long working hours, emotional strain, inadequate resources, insufficient management support and staffing shortages were identified as key contributors.
Keywords: Perceived job stress, public health nurses, work output, occupational stress, nursing performance, healthcare facilities, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, workload, job satisfaction, patient care quality.