Burnout among Nurses Working in Ethiopia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Occupational Health
• Nursing Research

Background:

• Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, is a recognized occupational hazard.
• The nursing profession in Ethiopia is particularly susceptible due to its demanding nature and focus on human health.
• Previous research on nurse burnout in Ethiopia yielded heterogeneous findings, necessitating a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and identify the overall prevalence of burnout among nurses in Ethiopia.
• To provide a quantitative synthesis of existing evidence on nurse burnout in the Ethiopian context.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search of electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science was conducted.
• Seven English-language studies encompassing 1654 nurses, published up to February 2020, were included.
• A random-effects model was employed to estimate the pooled prevalence of burnout, with heterogeneity assessed using the inconsistency index.

Main Results:

• The systematic search identified 1060 papers, with seven studies meeting the inclusion criteria.
• The overall pooled prevalence of burnout among nurses in Ethiopia was found to be 39% (95% Confidence Interval: 27%-50%).
• The majority of included studies were cross-sectional, with one cohort study.

Conclusions:

• Burnout is a prevalent issue affecting approximately two out of every five nurses in Ethiopia.
• Effective interventions and strategic planning are crucial to mitigate burnout and improve the wellbeing of nurses in Ethiopia.