PREVALENCE AND FACTORS OF PROFESSIONAL BURNOUT AMONG PRIMARY HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN: RESULTS OF A NATIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Professional burnout is a significant issue in healthcare, particularly among primary healthcare (PHC) workers. This study aims to assess the prevalence and contributing factors to professional burnout among PHC workers in Kazakhstan, a country undergoing healthcare reforms and the implementation of new medical care standards.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2021 to 2023 across 324 medical organizations in Kazakhstan, including 232 organizations in 2021, 76 in 2022, and 16 in 2023. The study involved 10,459 participants: 2,595 doctors, 5,612 nurses, and 2,252 healthcare managers. Data were collected using a shortened version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire, assessing emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal achievement (PA). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22, employing binary logistic regression to evaluate the impact of various factors on burnout indicators.

Results: The study found that young PHC workers aged 18-39 exhibited the highest levels of emotional exhaustion, with mean EE scores of 3.81±0.45 for doctors, 3.72±0.44 for nurses, and 3.72±0.44 for managers. In contrast, workers over 60 years old reported lower EE levels: 3.28±0.40 for doctors, 3.30±0.40 for nurses, and 3.38±0.41 for managers. Female PHC workers demonstrated lower risks of EE (OR=0.80, 95% CI [0.66, 0.97], p=0.022) and DP (OR=0.79, 95% CI [0.65, 0.96], p=0.025) compared to males, but also reported lower PA levels (OR=0.81, 95% CI [0.67, 0.99], p=0.027). Additionally, managers with postgraduate education had higher risks of EE (OR=1.25, 95% CI [1.05, 1.50], p=0.015), DP (OR=1.28, 95% CI [1.06, 1.54], p=0.013), and PA (OR=1.34, 95% CI [1.10, 1.63], p=0.015). Regional differences were also significant, with the highest PA levels observed in the Turkestan region (OR=1.4, 95% CI [1.14, 1.71], p=0.011), and the highest EE levels in Pavlodar (OR=1.33, 95% CI [1.11, 1.60], p=0.010).

Conclusions: The findings highlight significant variability in burnout levels among PHC workers in Kazakhstan, influenced by age, gender, education level, work experience, and geographic region. Younger workers and those with less experience are at higher risk of burnout, while regional disparities suggest the need for tailored interventions. Addressing these factors is crucial to improving job satisfaction and mental well-being among PHC workers in Kazakhstan.