Occupational Stress Assessment(OSA): appraisal of stress levels of healthcare workers at the infirmary and PTB cottages, June 2003

ABSTRACT

Objective: This Cross-sectional study appraised the levels of stress and determined their sources,symptoms and effects among the healthcare workers assigned at the infirmary and PTB cottages of the National Center for Mental Health. Methodology: Standardized scores on eight scales, measured through the Occupational Stress Assessment (OSA), a self administered instrument, of 144 respondents from the infirmary and PTB Cottages, were tested for statistically significant differences. Results: The study revealed higher men standardized scores on the negative scales of Organizational Irrationality, Lob Complexity and negative Outcome were lower for this study group than the norm. Stratification of the 8 scales with the demographic profiles and work characteristics revealed significant differences in the level of occupational stressed experience by each subgroup. Conclusion: A comparison of the OSA scales between the mean values of the norm and those obtained from the study revealed higher scores from the respondent of positive scales and lower scores from the respondents on the negative scales. Healthcare workers with ages 28-32 were the most empowered while those with ages 60-65 were the least empowered. The 60-65 aged group had the highest scores on the negative scales and lowest in exposure Management , Work and Home Supports. Occupational stress had an increased health and psychological impact among the females. The separated and widowed scored highest on negative scales and least on empowerment, Work and Home Supports and Exposure Management. The medical specialists were the most empowered, had the least scores on negative scales and highest scores on positive scales. The medical specialists were the most empowered , had the least scores on negative scales and highest score in positive scales. The medical officers had lesser scores on Empowerment Organizational Irrationality, work and Home Supports, Negative Outcome, Exposure Management and Relaxation Potential than the medical officers. Scores on negative scales were highest and scores on Empowerment, Exposure Management and Relaxation Potential were least on the 7am-3pm shift. Respondents who scored least empowerment, Organizational Irrationality and Job Complex had been absent more than once.