The psychosocial work environment of primary health care nurses in the Northern Sub-DistrictCity of Ekurhuleni
Date
2024
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Background: Studies have shown that nurses in general are exposed to higher psychosocial work environment challenges primarily manifested as work-related
stress, burnout, depression, and fatigue. Hence, the need to investigate how PHC nurses experience their psychosocial work environments in the northern sub-district of the City of Ekurhuleni.
Objectives: To describe the psychosocial work environment as well as determine the association between the socio-demographic data and domains that score as
negatively and positively indicative of the perceived psychosocial work environment.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used for this study, and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, the Copenhagen
Psychosocial Questionnaire II (COPSOQ II). Data analysis: Firstly, STATA 18 (Standard Edition) was used for demographic and COPSOQ II scale analysis. Secondly, the open-ended question was analyzed through the sentiment analysis process using Microsoft Excel 2021, Office 365 add-on package Azure Machine Learning to identify the themes and determine the emotional tone of the responses which were classified as positive, negative or neutral. Lastly, Bivariable analysis was conducted using a Pearson Chi-square test (χ² test) and a Fisher’s Exact test for the purpose of establishing associations. Results: A total number of (n=80) PHC nurses participated in the study. Most were females (87.5%) and (60%) have more than ten years of professional nursing experience. Quantitative work demands, Work pace, Emotional work demands, Work/ life conflict as well as Burnout and stress are the dimensions that were Red coded, rated as needing immediate care and are indicative of poor care. Age was associated with Job demands and Work/individual interface. Years of experience was associated with interpersonal relationships and Leadership, and Health and wellbeing. Three themes emerged from the sentiment analysis of the open-ended question namely; professional recognition and job satisfaction, workload and staffing issues, and workplace environment and support. The results further showed that (76%) of the
respondents expressed negative sentiment regarding the psychosocial environment and the average sentimental score was 0.26 indicating highly negative perception about the psychosocial environment.
Conclusion: The results serve as a baseline for a study on psychosocial environment and can be used to inform the development of a more comprehensive in-depth
psychosocial research study, to develop and implement sustainable and effective healthy workplace programs to meet the psychosocial needs of PHC nurses and other health care workers
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nursing to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Therapeutic Sciences University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2024
Keywords
Psychosocial work, Primary health care nurses, Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II, UCTD
Citation
Motsumi, Theodora . (2024). The psychosocial work environment of primary health care nurses in the Northern Sub-DistrictCity of Ekurhuleni [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace.