Burnout, Metabolic Syndrome And Risk Of Cardiovascular Diseases Among Health Workers In Accra, Ghana
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Date
2021-09
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University Of Ghana
Abstract
Background: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), an epidemiological transition has caused cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) to overtake communicable diseases and this presents a double-barreled challenge to the under-resourced health system. Health workers are critical in reversing this twofold burden of diseases. The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the workload of health workers predisposing them to additional job-related burnout. Burnout among health workers increases their risk of CVDs. However, there is a paucity of data about the link between burnout syndrome and CVDs among health workers in Ghana.
Aim: This study aimed to examine burnout, metabolic syndrome and risk of cardiovascular diseases among health workers in Accra, Ghana.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,264 health workers recruited from three public hospitals in Accra. The participants were sampled using a proportionate stratified sampling technique and completed a questionnaire that collected socio-demographic, job-profile, lifestyle, resilience and burnout information. In addition, each participant’s anthropometric and hemodynamic indices were measured. Furthermore, five milliliters of blood was obtained for analysis of fasting plasma glucose, lipids and cortisol. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariable logistic and ordinal regression analyses were employed to examine the associations between independent and dependent variables. Data analyses were conducted with the aid of Stata 15.0.
Results: The prevalence of burnout was 20.57%. Burnout was significantly associated with the job profile factors except job support and control (p < 0.05). Also, the prevalence of MetS was 41.85%. Burnout was significantly associated with hypercortisolemia and MetS as well as ten-year risk of CVDs (p<0.001). Specifically, for a one unit increase in overall burnout, the odds of experiencing metabolic syndrome was increased by 19.78 times (AOR=19.78, 95% CI: 12.69-30.83) as compared to those without burnout. Similarly, for a one unit increase in burnout, the odds of experiencing a high ten-year risk of CVDs increased by 2.07 times (AOR=2.07; 95% CI: 1.73-2.40).
Conclusion: There is high prevalence of burnout among health workers in Accra particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers at the primary level of healthcare and those on night shifts are most likely to experience burnout. Burnout is significantly associated with MetS and an increased ten-year risk of CVDs. It is recommended that the Ghana Health Service should undertake health systemic changes to decrease challenges of night shifts and at primary care facilities. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health needs a Staff Medicare Policy to help reduce disease-related turnovers.
Description
PhD. Public Health
Keywords
Cardiovascular Diseases, Health Workers, Accra