High burnout among maternity healthcare workers in Zomba and Lilongwe, Malawi

Abstract Background Burnout is prevalent among healthcare workers due to chronic stress of patients suffering. In Malawi burnout has not been properly investigated in the maternity facilities, however it is believed that there are high burnout levels among maternal health care workers due to the high patient to provider ratio, poor remuneration and heavy work load. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the extent and factors associated with burnout among maternity health care workers at two hospitals (Zomba Central Hospital and Bwaila Hospital) in Malawi.Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among maternity health care workers at Zomba Central Hospital and Bwaila Hospital in June 2018. Demographic data and constructs of burnouts (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishments) were collected using a validated adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory self-administered questionnaire.Results We enrolled 81 participants in the study, with a mean age 32 years (SD: 6.2); 68% were female; and 85% were nurse/midwives. 62% of the participants were from Bwaila Hospital and 38% from Zomba Central Hospital. The burnout rates on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment on the Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale were 75%, 28% and 33%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, healthcare worker absenteeism (adjusted OR {P-value} 15.38(0.05) and low job satisfaction (adjusted OR {P-value} 17.72(0.02) were associated with emotional exhaustion. Working at Zomba Central Hospital (adjusted OR {P-value} 10.06(0.022), working in the labour and antenatal wards (adjusted OR {P-value} 0.166(0.047) low job satisfaction (adjusted OR {P-value} 0.056(0.023) and discussing work situation with colleagues (adjusted OR {P-value} 0.122(0.026) were associated with reduced personal accomplishment. healthcare worker absenteeism (adjusted OR {P-value} 9.91(0.05) was associated with depersonalisation.Conclusion There was a high burnout rate among maternity health care workers with high absenteeism rates.