Burn out and emotional well-being among workers and students AT Nnewi, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study was designed to estimate and compare the levels of burn out and well-being among students, teachers, nurses, doctors and laboratory technologists. Secondary school students and teachers of a private secondary school in Nnewi were selected. From Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (Nnewi) nurses, laboratory technologists, medical students and doctors were recruited. These respondents were administered a Burn out Check List (BCL), and the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ). Sixteen percent of the subjects had burn out. Laboratory technologists had the highest score on the BCL. Using the SRQ, 37.7% of the subjects had probable mental ill health. The sub scale scores of the BCL were significantly associated with the SRQ in a multiple regression equation. Secondary school students had the highest score on the SRQ. No medical doctor or nurse had severe burn out. Conclusion: Burn out occurs across a wide variety of persons including students.

Keywords: Burn out, non-caring professionals, Nigerians.

Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp. 21-31