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. 2023 Mar 23;18(3):e0282318.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282318. eCollection 2023.

Burnout syndrome among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross sectional study in Monastir, Tunisia

Imen Zemni  1   2   3 , Wafa Dhouib  1   2   3 , Sihem Sakly  4 , Cyrine Bennasrallah  1   2   3 , Amel Gara  1   2 , Meriem Kacem  1   2   3 , Manel Ben Fredj  1   2   3 , Hela Abroug  1   2   3 , Aicha Elbaroudi  5 , Ines Bouanene  1   2 , Asma Sriha Belguith  1   2   3
Affiliations

Burnout syndrome among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross sectional study in Monastir, Tunisia

Imen Zemni et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Burnout syndrome may affect the safety of frontline healthcare care workers (HCW) and patients. We aimed to measure the prevalence of burnout among HCW in care facilities in Tunisia during the Covid-19 pandemic and to identify its associated factors.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among HCW practicing during the covid-19 pandemic in health care facilities in the governorate of Monastir. Data collection was carried out using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire composed by three sections: epidemiological and clinical characteristics, professional conditions and the Maslach Burn out Inventory (MBI-HSS).

Results: This study included 371 HCW. The prevalence of burnout was 77.9% (CI 95%: 73.6% - 82.1%). The severe level was found in 71 participants (19.1%), the moderate level in 115 (31%) and the low level in 103 (27.8%). The distribution of the levels of the burnout dimensions among the participants was as follows: high emotional exhaustion (EE) (57.4%), high depersonalization (DP) (39.4%) and low personal accomplishment (22.6%). The main determinants of burnout among healthcare professionals during COVID 19 pandemic were: working more than 6 hours per day (OR = 1.19; CI95% [1.06; 1.34]), physician function (OR = 1.17; CI 95% [1.05; 1.31]), feeling a negative impact of work on family life (OR = 1.40; 95% CI [1.13; 1.73]), and high personal estimation of COVID 19 exposure (OR = 1.15; CI95% [1.02; 1.29]).

Conclusion: During the COVID19 pandemic, the prevalence of burnout among health professionals was high. It was related to hard implication in COVID 19 management. Interventions like adjusting working hours, reducing workload, and providing psychological support should be taken.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Distribution of the study population according to the level of burnout.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Levels of burnout according to the occupational status.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Distribution of burnout dimensions levels among participants.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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