A Cross-Sectional Study on Job Burnout and Associated Health Symptoms Among Ambulance Workers in Babylon Governorate
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Objective: Ambulance workers face significant physical and psychological challenges in their roles. They are responsible for providing life-saving care in high-pressure environments, often encountering violence, infectious diseases, and physical injuries. This study aims to assess the levels of job burnout among ambulance workers and identify associated physical and psychological health symptoms.
Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Babylon Governorate from November 2023 to June 2024. The study involved 106 ambulance workers, selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using the adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory, which measures emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20, with descriptive and inferential statistics to explore the relationship between burnout and socio-demographic factors.
Findings: Seventy percent of participants had moderate burnout levels. A total of 54.7% of the ambulance workers experienced moderate emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, while 62.3% reported a sense of personal accomplishment. The main challenges reported were a lack of management support, poor public utilization of ambulance services, and difficulties in maintaining work-life balance. Significant relationships were observed between burnout and factors such as age, number of children, and monthly income (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Ambulance workers in Babylon Governorate face a significant risk of job burnout, which can adversely impact both staff well-being and service quality. To mitigate burnout, targeted interventions focusing on improving management support, providing continuous training, and enhancing staff well-being are essential. Further research is needed to develop effective strategies to address this pressing issue.
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