Assessment of Burnout among Nurses: A Comparative Study in Public and Private Hospitals in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Burnout among nurses has become a major occupational health concern globally, adversely affecting healthcare workers' well-being, patient safety, and quality of healthcare delivery. This study assessed and compared burnout among nurses working in selected public and private hospitals in Anambra State, Nigeria. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 registered nurses, comprising 190 nurses from public hospitals and 190 from private hospitals, selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and binary logistic regression were employed for inferential analysis at a significance level of p < 0.05. Overall, 57.9% of the nurses experienced burnout, with a significantly higher prevalence among nurses in public hospitals (66.3%) than those in private hospitals (49.5%) (χ² = 11.46, p = 0.001). Public hospital nurses also recorded significantly higher emotional exhaustion (44.2% vs. 30.5%, p = 0.007) and lower personal accomplishment (36.8% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.017). Mean emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores were significantly higher among nurses in public hospitals, whereas personal accomplishment scores were significantly higher among nurses in private hospitals. Poor organizational support (AOR = 3.84), employment in public hospitals (AOR = 2.34), long working hours, frequent night duties, and workplace violence were identified as significant predictors of burnout. The study concludes that burnout is highly prevalent among nurses, particularly in public hospitals. Strengthening organizational support, improving staffing levels, reducing excessive workload, and implementing workplace wellness programmes are recommended to mitigate burnout and improve the quality of healthcare delivery.