Assessment of stress and its predictors among female medical doctors

Abstract

Background: Stress is a common factor associated with the medical profession. Among female doctors, this unstable mental state would greatly reduce work productivity as well as the quality of life of these female physicians.

Objectives: To evaluate the stress level and predictors of this in female medical practitioners in South-East Nigeria.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving female medical practitioners using the international K-10 stress assessment scoring system.

Results: 236 female medical doctors were evaluated in this study. Overall, 37.3% were found to be stressed: 21% mildly stressed, 10% moderately stressed and 6% severely stressed. Significant predictors of stress were age of which those 31-40 years were the greatest proportion, motherhood, marital status and cadre of practice; while non-significant predictors were having a physician as a spouse, years of medical practice and taking night calls.

Conclusion: The level of stress observed from this study is high. Advocacy to and interventions by employers of labour will greatly aid in mitigating potential stressors thus enhancing the mental state of female doctors.

Keywords: Mental state, Women, Physicians, Stress disorder, Nigeria