Assessment Of Influence Of Stress On Work Behavior Among Nurses In Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, Kaduna State

Abstract:

Stress in nursing in hospital is an important issue. Work related stress in nursing occurs due to different work factors that place job demands on stress.stress experience However, stress is a normal part of every individual’s life and stress in optimal level is considered necessary to increase individual’s performance level. Whereas stress over a prolonged period requires sustained physical and mental effort to meet job demands. Nurses’ inability to handle work behavior can lead to health problems in nurses and decreases their productivity. The study aimed to assess the influence of stress on work behavior among nurses towards at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika(ABUTH), It highlights the significance of knowing the causes of stress,effect of stress and how they can cope with stress without affecting their work behavior. Objectives include causes of work stress,relationship between stress and job satisfaction among nurses,examine perceived impacts of stress among nurses on the safety of patients and to assess perceived impact of stress on job performance.The research design adopted is a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving Two hundred and fifty two (252) respondent drawn through simple random sampling techniques, the data was collected through the use of self-developed questionnaire: frequency and percentage were used to present the analyzed data, Base on the findings from this study indicate that occupational, organizational, socio- demographic, and psychological factors are related to work stress in nursing. Work overload, role ambiguity, staff shortage, job insecurity, inadequate pay, inequality at work,exposure to death and disease, and lack of management support are associated with major sources of work stress in nursing. Prolonged work stress experience among nurses is linked to reduced job commitment, reduced productivity, poor patient outcomes, burnout, illness, absenteeism, and increase in negative personal behaviors such as aggression, anxiety, apathy, etc.74% of the respondent were female, between the ages of 41-50years Yoruba’s by tribe(41%) and almost all are Muslims(40%). 99% of the respondents agreed that insufficient staffing contribute to work stress among them and 92% of the respondents were averagely satisfied with stress from work related factors like workload ,pressure,or lack of control over work.90% believed stress among nurses always increase the risk of patient harm.75% agreed that stress always negatively affect their ability to communicate with their patients and 50% believed that stress always negatively affect their efficiency at work. Positive Actions from the government, hospital management to reduce causes of work stress are necessary to promote physical and mental well-being of nurses. This could be achieved with employing of more staffs, provision of adequate equipment, proper rewards, and organizational changes.