Burnout and Job Satisfaction among Lecturers in Public Universities in Enugu State, Nigeria

There is increasing awareness of burnout and job disaffection among many professions like health profession, teachers, armed personnel and lawyers. However not much has been studied about university lecturers.

To obtain the prevalence and determine predictors of burnout and job satisfaction among lecturers in public universities in Enugu State, Nigeria.

It was a cross sectional analytical study. The participants were academic staff from University of Nigeria Nsukka and Enugu State University of Technology who met inclusion criteria. They were selected using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using Oldenberg Burnout Inventory for burnout and Job Descriptive Index for job satisfaction.

A total of 392 lecturers were studied: The males were 221 (56.3%), and the modal age group was 41-50 years: 152 (38.8%). The majority were married 303 (77.3%) and had worked for ≤10 years (65.8%). The prevalence of burnout was 57.7%. In general, 150 (38.3%) had a high level of job satisfaction. However, in most facets, < 50% were satisfied. Most socio-demographic variables were not associated with either burnout or job satisfaction. There is significant association between burnout and job satisfaction. Almost all 205 (90.7%) who had burnout had low job satisfaction and this was statistically significant (p value = 0.011). Present work condition, pay, opportunities, supervision were used as predictors to level of burnout. Present condition of work was a significant contributor (p = < 0.001).

The prevalence of burnout was high and many had low to moderate job satisfaction. Most socio-demographic variables were not associated with burnout or job satisfaction. There was a negative association between job satisfaction and burnout.