Prevalence and Pattern of Burnout Syndrome amongst Doctors Working in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Burnout Syndrome (BOS) is a psychological condition increasingly recognised in occupational health, especially within the healthcare sector. It significantly affects doctors' efficiency, job satisfaction, and well-being. Despite its global importance, there remains a lack of empirical studies exploring the prevalence and determinants of burnout among doctors in Nigeria. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of Burnout Syndrome among medical doctors at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 211 doctors between January and December 2020. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used, incorporating the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) for Medical Personnel. Burnout was defined as a high emotional exhaustion score, a high depersonalisation score, and a low personal accomplishment score. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Multivariate logistic regression was utilised to identify independent predictors of burnout.

The overall prevalence of burnout was 54.5%. High levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and low personal achievement were observed in 59.7%, 85.8%, and 96.2% of respondents, respectively. Younger age (31-40 years), absence of children, being a house officer, lack of additional qualifications, and ≤10 years of post-registration experience were significantly associated with increased burnout. In logistic regression analysis, younger age and fewer years of post-registration practice remained significant predictors.

Burnout is highly prevalent among doctors in the study location, with younger practitioners and those in early career stages particularly vulnerable. Institutional interventions focusing on wellness promotion, professional development, work-life balance, and institutional support are crucial in reducing the risk of burnout.