Influence of work-related stress on sleep quality and quality of life of healthcare practitioners undergoing one year post-training experience
Keywords:
Work-related stress, sleep quality, quality of life, healthcare practitionersAbstract
Background: Work-related stress is a significant factor affecting the well-being of healthcare practitioners, influencing both sleep quality and overall quality of life (QoL). This study examined the impact of occupational stress on sleep quality and QoL among healthcare practitioners undergoing one year post-training experience at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, Nigeria.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 healthcare practitioners, including intern physicians, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists, who had worked at UBTH for at least three months. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), health-related QoL (WHOQOL-BREF), and work-related stress (Work Stress Questionnaire). Descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to summarize data. Spearman's rank correlation was employed to determine relationships between work-related stress and health-related QoL, as well as between work-related stress and sleep quality at P < 0.05.
Results: The findings indicate that 58.7% of participants experienced poor sleep quality. Work-related stress was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with multiple dimensions of sleep quality and QoL. Stress related to workplace negatively impacted psychological health, while stress stemming from organizational ambiguity and conflicts affected social interactions. Stress from individual demands and commitment was positively significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with all QoL domains.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate work-related stress among healthcare practitioners. Strategies such as promoting work-life balance, enhancing organizational support, and implementing stress management programs could improve well-being, professional satisfaction, and ultimately, patient care outcomes.
