STRESS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AT CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, AWKA.

Abstract

Stress is part of our everyday life and can have life threatening consequences when not managed 
effectively. This study determined the stress management practices among healthcare workers 
during COVID-19 Pandemic at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching 
Hospital, Awka. Three research questions guided the study and two hypotheses were tested at .05 
level of significance. The cross-sectional survey research design was used for the study. The 
Multistage sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 267 out of 534 Healthcare workers 
(HCWs). The instrument for data collection was a researcher’s designed questionnaire titled 
“Stress Management Practices among Healthcare workers during Covid-19 Pandemic”. The data 
collected were analyzed using frequency and percentages for research questions while the null 
hypotheses were tested using Chi - square (X2) statistics. The findings of the study revealed 
among others: thirteen stress management practices HCWs adopted to combat stress during 
COVID-19 Pandemic. Moreover, the study revealed that there is no significant difference on the 
stress management practice among male and female HCWs but there is a significant difference 
on the stress management practice among HCWs of different job types. Based on the findings, 
the researcher concluded that some stress management practices adopted by HCWs in 
COOUTH, Awka during Covid-19 pandemic were having sense of control over life, thinking 
positively, relaxation, taking enough sleep, listening to music, sharing jokes or humour with 
colleagues, engaging in team work, communicating with people, adequate use of protective 
devices, avoiding problem situation, understanding the clarity in my job, taking break from work 
and being proactive. It was also recommended among other things that it is important to 
emphasize on the need for exercising as a stress management practice among HCWs. Also, 
Annual leave, maternity leave, casual leave and break periods amidst work, etc should not be 
denied any job category of worker in the healthcare system to avoid break down in health of the 
HCWs.