Stress Factors, Consequences and Coping Mechanisms Of Medical Staff: The Case of Arsi Zone, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Stress is subjective experience and a complex phenomenon. Typically, it describes as a negative concept that can have an impact on one’s mental and physical wellbeing. Job stress among healthcare staff is becoming a common phenomenon in most health services. Medical staff focuses on activities related to diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness. Hence, this study, tried to figure out factors that contribute to stress, consequences and coping mechanisms among medical staff members in Arsi zone, Oromia national regional state. The researcher employed cross-sectional study design. Medical staffs of three selected hospital of Arsi zone were the source of the study population. 240 medical staffs were taken employing simple random sampling technique. Quantitative types of data were collected using a questionnaire consisted of different scales. Descriptive (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistical analyses (chi-square) were used to analyze the data. Shortage of medical staffs, pressure from family as a result of working long hours, and working on holidays were the major source of stress. Exhaustion and low level of job satisfaction were reported as the major consequences of stress. As well as Relaxation and sleeping were reported as major coping strategies. Providing continuous and appropriate recognitions to meet the social and personal priorities of medical staff members into the formal and organizational settings of the medical institutions were among the recommendations.