Depression, anxiety and stress among nurses in public psychiatric hospitals in Ghana

Abstract

This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors of depression, anxiety and stress among nurses working in public psychiatric hospitals in Ghana. A cross-sectional design was used for this study. A probability proportionate to size and simple random sampling method were used to select 311 respondents for the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire which comprise Beck’s Depression Inventory, Beck’s Anxiety Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and a multinomial logistic regression analysis. The results showed that 92% and 96.5% of mental health nurses experienced minimal depression and low anxiety respectively. In addition, 56.6% and 42.8% experienced low and moderate stress respectively and 42.4% were not satisfied with their current job. Positive association was found between educational level and depression whereas, a negative association existed between educational level and anxiety and stress. Also, mental health nurses who work at the OPD and Administration were more likely to experience anxiety and stress. It was recommended that the management of psychiatric hospitals give timely in-service training on management of depression, anxiety and stress to nurses. Measures to facilitate the easy enrolment of mental health nurses into higher level of education should be instituted by the management of the hospitals.