Prevalence and Factors Associated With Burnout Among Anaesthesia Providers in Kenya

Abstract

Background: Burnout is an occupational hazard precipitated by chronic exposure to excessive work-related stress. It can negatively impact the health and safety of patients and clinicians. Burnout among anaesthesia providers has been high, ranging between 41 – 59% globally. The implications of this include reduced performance, lack of commitment, and other adverse outcomes like suicide. The burden of burnout among anaesthesia providers in Kenya has not been documented, prompting the need to understand the current situation and associated factors. Objective: To determine the prevalence of burnout and associated factors among anaesthesia providers in Kenya. Methodology: This was an analytical cross-sectional study utilizing an online survey. Cluster sampling technique was used to recruit 424 anaesthesia providers in Kenya registered by the Kenya Society of Anaesthesiologists, National Association of Clinical Officer Anaesthetists (NACOA), and Kenya Registered Nurse Anaesthetists (KRNA) and included clinical officer anesthetists, nurse anesthetists, and physician anaesthesiologists. . A structured questionnaire was uploaded to google forms which was used to capture data as filled by research participants The Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Service Survey tool was used to measure burnout. Chisquare test for association was conducted to determine the association between independent factors and burnout. Binary logistic regression was done to identify independent factors associated with burnout among anaesthesia providers. Results: A total of 403 anesthesia providers participated in the study representing a 95% response rate. The mean age of anesthesia providers who participated in the study was 40.3(SD±7.8) years with 82.4% aged between 31 and 50 years, 74.4% were male and 84.1% were married. The findings showed that 38.7% of the respondents had high emotional exhaustion, 45.2% had high depersonalization while 73% had high personal accomplishment. The burden of burnout syndrome was 26.3% with a 95%Confidence Interval [CI]: 22.5% - 31.4%. Multivariable analysis revealed that being in academia and having adequate resources in the department of work were independent factors associated with all dimensions of burnout. Participating in other income-generating activities (odds ratio[OR]=0.35, 95%CI: 0.21 – 0.69, p =0.043) and taking leave in the last one year (OR =0.21, 95%CI:0.11 – 0.84, p =0.019) were protective against emotional exhaustion. Further, years of experience of more than 10 years was protective against depersonalization (OR =0.49, 95%CI:0.26 – 0.92, p =0.027) and personal accomplishment (OR = 0.39, 95%CI:0.16 – 0.72, p =0.027). Conclusion and recommendations: One in four anesthesia providers have burnout syndrome with being in academia and dissatisfaction with the work environment being key factors associated with burnout. Leave and years of experience more than 10 years were protective against all dimensions of burnout. Thus, there is a need for promoting work-life balance, improving workplace conditions, and providing mental health support to anesthesia providers.