Prevalence of Work Family Conflict Among Nurses Working in the Teaching Hospitals in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed at ascertaining the prevalence of work-family conflict and how it relates with the Nurses work characteristics. Background: Every Nurse has a work and family life.  When there are interferences between the work and family roles, it could lead to work-family conflict. Work-family conflict impacts negatively on psychological safety and psychological well-being. Methods: The study was conducted at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (Nauth) and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching hospital (Coouth) in Anmabra State, Nigeria. Descriptive Survey design was adopted for the study and proportionate sampling technique was used.  A sample size of 420 Nurses was utilized for the study (Coouth: n-138 and NAUTH: n=302). The instrument for data collection included work-family conflict questionnaire by Carlson et a (2000) and work design questionnaire for job characteristics by morgeson and Humphrey (2006). The collected data was analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation.  fishers exact test and spearman correlation at 5% level of significance using SPSS 25. Results: Results showed that female Nurses were (86.2%) while male Nurses (13.3%).  Majority were married (71.4⁰) and have 2-4 children (47.9%).  There was high level of Work-Family Conflict (67.9%). Workload was seen as a major work-related factor that act as a determinant of Work-Family Conflict, and family related factor such as family/spouse support was positive and seen as a non-determinant of Work-Family Conflict. There is no significant association between the level of Work-Family Conflict and Nurses age groups, years of experience and different marital status. Conclusions: In conclusion, it is imperative for Nurse administrators to ensure that flexible work policies are implemented as this will help Nurses to work at their pace and also the policy makers should recruit more Nurses which would reduce the number of assigned tasks thereby minimize Work-Family Conflict.

Keywords: work-family conflict, prevalence, work condition, nurse, Nigeria