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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Aug 30;16(8):e0256402.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256402. eCollection 2021.

Prevalence of burnout among university students in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Mark Mohan Kaggwa  1 , Jonathan Kajjimu  2 , Jonathan Sserunkuma  2 , Sarah Maria Najjuka  3 , Letizia Maria Atim  1 , Ronald Olum  3 , Andrew Tagg  4   5 , Felix Bongomin  6
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Prevalence of burnout among university students in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Mark Mohan Kaggwa et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Burnout is common among university students and may adversely affect academic performance. Little is known about the true burden of this preventable malady among university students in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs).

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically estimate the prevalence of burnout among university students in LMICs.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Web of Science, African Journals Online, and Embase from the inception of each database until February 2021. Original studies were included. No study design or language restrictions were applied. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed using STATA version 16.0. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using Q-statistics and funnel plots, respectively.

Results: Fifty-five unique articles, including a total of 27,940 (Female: 16,215, 58.0%) university students from 24 LMICs were included. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used in 43 studies (78.2%). The pooled prevalence of burnout was 12.1% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 11.9-12.3; I2 = 99.7%, Q = 21,464.1, p = < 0.001). The pooled prevalence of emotional exhaustion (feelings of energy depletion), cynicism (negativism), and reduced professional efficacy were, 27.8% (95% CI 27.4-28.3; I2 = 98.17%. p = <0.001), 32.6 (95% CI: 32.0-33.1; I2: 99.5%; p = < 0.001), and 29.9% (95% CI: 28.8-30.9; I2: 98.1%; p = < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion: Nearly one-third of university students in LMICs experience burnout. More studies are needed to understand the causes of burnout in this key population. There is a need to validate freely available tools for use in these countries.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. The PRISMA flow diagram.
From: Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, The PRISMA Group (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Med 6(7): e1000097. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed1000097For more information, visitwww.prisma-statement.org.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Forest plot of the prevalence of burnout in LMICs.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Forest plot of the prevalence of emotional exhaustion in LMICs.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Forest plot of the prevalence of cynicism in LMICs.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Forest plot of reduced professional efficacy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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