Burnout and its associated factors among Tunisian healthcare students

Abstract Background Burnout is a major issue among healthcare students and a public health issue in general. Indeed, the consequences of student burnout are as complex such as mental distress factors with smoking and alcohol consumption and unhealthy lifestyle. The aim of this study is to determine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of public health 2020-09, Vol.30 (Supplement_5)
Main Authors: Tlili, M A, Aouicha, W, Testouri, A, Hamoudi, M, Lamine, H, Taghouti, E, Mtiraoui, A, Chelbi, S, Ben Rejeb, M, Mallouli, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alcohol
Anxiety
Burnout
Cynicism
Emotions
Exhaustion
Health care
Health sciences
Health services
Inventory
Leisure
Mental disorders
Mental health
Physical training
Public health
Recreation
Sleep
Sleep disorders
Smoking
Social sciences
Socioeconomics
Students
Teachers
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Summary:Abstract Background Burnout is a major issue among healthcare students and a public health issue in general. Indeed, the consequences of student burnout are as complex such as mental distress factors with smoking and alcohol consumption and unhealthy lifestyle. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of burnout among health sciences students and its associated factors. Methods This is a cross sectional descriptive study conducted among 368 students of the Higher School of Health Sciences and Techniques of Sousse (Tunisia) from March to April 2018. The study instrument is the French validated version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS). This instrument measures academic burnout through 3 dimensions (emotional exhaustion, cynicism and academic efficacy). Data entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0). Results The prevalence of burnout was 64.4%. The presence of a diagnosed health problem, a diagnosed mental disorder or sleep problems found to be associated with all the aspects of burnout. Students who live alone are significantly the most emotionally exhausted (p = 0.010), and have the highest levels of cynicism (p = 0.033). Students who had a low socio-economic level are significantly more cynical than those who had a medium or high socio-economic level (m = 3.45, m = 2.81, m = 2.25; p = 0.032 respectively). Furthermore, students who perform leisure activities and practice physical activities had a significantly lower levels of emotional exhaustion (p = 0.007, p = 0.008 respectively). Also, studying with new pedagogical approaches decreased significantly the levels of the different burnout dimensions. Conclusions Burnout is prevalent among Tunisian health sciences students, which can have severe consequences such as anxiety and sleep disorders. Hence why preventive strategies should be applied to encounter this problem and avoid its consequent risks. Key messages Students and teachers must be aware of the phenomenon of burnout and its consequences as an important public health issue. Future interventions to minimize the prevalence of burnout and its negative effects should be conducted by focusing on its associated factors.
ISSN:1101-1262
1464-360X
DOI:10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1049