Influence Of Shift Work And Marital Status On Occupational Stress Among Nurses

INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Stress is a pervasive and insidious part of everyday life and in the work environment (Leka, Griffiths, and Cox, 2003). According to United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, work stress is defined as “the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, responses, or needs of the worker” (Leka et al, 2003). Work-related stress (WRS) is simply stress, which is caused or made worse by working. Job stress is a substantial and growing concern for workers, their advocates, employers, occupational health and safety regulators, and workers’ compensation programs (Ugoji, 2003). Different personality styles, gender difference, age, context, family history, emotional state, understanding of self and general social awareness will all influence each person’s stress level. Usually, the effects of stress can be categorized as: Mental, physical, behavioral, and cognitive. Among the poor signs of WRS are the poor physical and mental health of the organization employees, poor attendance and less commitment to work, less productivity, distress and irritability and lastly the organization becomes less likely to be successful in a competitive market with poor image to stakeholders.
Nursing is generally perceived as a stressful and demanding profession. There is substantial evidence that nursing is a stressful occupation, which can lead to disruptions in both psychological and physical health and can impair professional practice. There is a growing body of evidence, which validates that health care providers particularly nurses experience stress in the course of carrying out their work without exception (Rogers, 2003). Various studies have shown that nursing is a strenuous job and WRS is prevalent among nurses (Lee and Wang, 2002). The prevalence rates of stress among nursing staff vary across studies with researchers reporting rates of 29-40% in Nigeria.
Nevertheless, stress has been regarded as an occupational hazard since the mid-1950s (Kahn, Wolfe and Quinn, 2009). In fact, occupational stress has been cited as a significant health problem. Work stress in nursing was first assessed in 1960 when Menzies identified four sources of anxiety among nurses: patient care, decision making, taking responsibility, and change. The nurse’s role has long been regarded as stress-filled based upon the physical labor, human suffering, work hours, staffing, and interpersonal relationships that are central to the work nurses do. Since the mid-1980s, however, nurses’ work stress may be escalating due to the increasing use of technology, continuing rises in health care costs, and turbulence within the work environment.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Work stress and burnout remain significant concerns in nursing, affecting both individuals and organizations. For the individual nurse, regardless of whether stress is perceived positively or negatively, the neuroendocrine response yields physiologic reactions that may ultimately contribute to illness (Selye, 1956). In the health care organization, work stress may contribute to absenteeism and turnover, both of which detract from the quality of care. Hospitals in particular are facing a workforce crisis. The demand for acute care services is increasing concurrently with changing career expectations among potential health care workers and growing dissatisfaction among existing hospital staff. By turning toxic work environments into healthy workplaces, researchers and nurse leaders believe that improvements can be realized in recruitment and retention of nurses, job satisfaction for all health care staff, and patient outcomes particularly those related patient safety.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The major aim of this study is to know the influence of shift work and marital status on occupational stress among nurses (a case study of federal medical centre Makurdi). Other specific objectives include:
1. To determine the prevalence of work stress among nurses in federal medical centre Makurdi.
2. To find out the factors that leads to stress among nurses in federal medical centre Makurdi.
3. To determine whether shift work affect nurses in federal medical centre Makurdi.
4. To determine ways occupational stress can be reduce among nurses in federal medical centre Makurdi.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What is the level of shift work on occupational stress among nurses in federal medical centre Makurdi?
2. What are the prevalence of work stress among nurses in federal medical centre Makurdi?
3. Are there any factor that leads to stress among nurses in federal medical centre Makurdi?
4. Does shift work affect nurses in federal medical centre Makurdi?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
H0: There is no significant relationship between shift work and marital status on occupational stress among nurses in federal medical centre Makurdi.
H1: There is significant relationship between shift work and marital status on occupational stress among nurses in federal medical centre Makurdi.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY/ JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
This study is meant to educate the general public, on the influence of shift work and marital status on occupational stress.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this topic and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other work or study.

1.7 SCOPE/ LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This study is restricted on the influence of shift work and marital status on occupational stress among nurses, federal medical centre Makurdi as a case study.
Limitations of study
1. Financial Constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
2. Time Constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Shift work: Is an employment practice designed to make use of, or provide service across, all 24 hours of the clock each day of the week (often abbreviated as 24/7). The practice typically sees the day divided into shifts, set periods of time during which different groups of workers perform their duties.
Marital Status: Civil status, or marital status, is any of several distinct options that describe a person’s relationship with a significant other.
Occupation: A person’s occupation or job, his/her role in society, often a regular activity performed for payment.
Stress: A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.