Burnout, associated factors and coping strategies among nursing professionals in Kerala, India: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To determine burnout prevalence, associated factors and coping strategies used by nursing professionals.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analytical study.

SETTING

Public and private healthcare institutions in Kerala, India.

PARTICIPANTS

Nursing professionals in Kerala (n=349).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Burnout levels (assessed with the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT)) and coping strategies. Log-binomial regression was performed to identify factors associated with burnout.

RESULTS

High burnout was reported by 36.1% of participants (126/349; 95% CI 31.1 to 41.4). Burnout prevalence was higher among nurses with an MSc (Master of Science) or higher educational qualification (adjusted prevalence ratio (APR)=1.46; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.03); those working in urban settings (APR=1.41; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.90); those who were single, divorced or separated (APR=1.58; 95% CI 1.18 to 2.12); those with travel time ≥30 min (APR=1.36; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.79); and those engaged in clinical/direct patient care duties (APR=1.75; 95% CI 1.18 to 2.59). Commonly reported coping strategies included active coping (59.6%), seeking instrumental social support (58.7%) and venting (54.4%), whereas negative strategies, such as substance use, were less frequent (22.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Over one-third of the nurses in our study reported high burnout. Efforts to reduce burnout should focus on nurses with higher qualifications, those working in urban settings, those with higher travel time, those who are single/divorced/separated and those involved in clinical duties to enhance healthcare quality.