Work-Related Stress and the Relationship with the Health Belief Model among Medical Doctors in a Tertiary Hospital in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Work-Related Stress (WRS) is a harmful physical and/or emotional response resulting from a mismatch between the requirements of a job and the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker in the work environment. The health belief model (HBM) is a psychological health behaviour change model established to describe and predict health-related behaviours regarding the uptake of health services. This study sought to determine the prevalence of WRS and to assess WRS among medical doctors in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers State, using the Health Belief Model (HBM). Methods: The study design was descriptive cross-sectional conducted among medical doctors in the UPTH. A proportionate stratified and random sampling method was used to recruit 363 medical doctors in two stages. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire which assessed respondents’ socio-demographics, Work-related Stress and Health Belief Model domains. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23.0. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess relationship between WRS and the HBM components, while the multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the HBM components that significantly predicted work-related stress. The level of significance was set at p= 0.05. Results: Most of the respondents were females (56.5%), married (90.1%), Christians (93.7%) and ≥36 years (71.6%). The mean age of respondents was 39.7±0.45 years. The prevalence of work-related stress was 66%, (Overall mean score ± SD=3.30±0.27). All components of the HBM were significantly correlated with Work-related Stress, and perceived severity showed the strongest positive correlation (r=0.687; p<0.001). All components of the HBM significantly predicted work-related stress except perceived susceptibility. Conclusion: All the components of the health belief model significantly predict Work-related Stress except perceived susceptibility. Measures to address stress among doctors in the workplace should put into consideration these domains of the health belief model.