Perceived physical and psychological wellness of nurses and midwives working in Kiryandongo district Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Not many studies have examined the level perceived physical and psychological wellness of nurses and midwives. Objective: The study was conducted to assess the perceived physical and psychological wellness among nurses and midwives in Kiryandongo district. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data was collected from nurses and midwives who were recruited from selected health facilities in Kiryandongo district. We collected data about the participants’ physical wellbeing and psychological wellbeing using the adapted Short Form12 questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and summarized in tables and proportions. Results: Of the participants, 32 (45.7%) did not engage in deliberate physical activity in addition to the daily hospital work. 47(66.2%) of respondents were passive. 80 per cent of the participants accomplished less than they had planned due to poor physical health. 28(38.2%) of the nurses and midwives reported pain interference with their normal work. Conclusions and recommendations: A significant proportion of nurses and midwives reported having poor physical wellbeing 14(20%) and poor psychological well-being 14(20%). Chi￾square statistics showed that there was a significant statistical association between physical wellbeing and shift duration (p=0.02) and physical wellbeing and Duration in service (p=0.017). There was also significant statistical association between psychological wellness and age (p=0.020) and psychological wellbeing and shift duration (P=0.001). This study recommends that nurse managers should sensitize the nurses and midwives on benefits of physical exercise and also hospitals should put in place routine screening for poor physical or mental health of nurses and midwives.