Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Midwifery, Pregnancy Health Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences,
2 MSc Student of Midwifery Counseling, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Occupational stress is a main problem of healthcare workers, which significantly
affects their professional and personal performance. The aim of this study was to determine the
impact of a stress immunization program on occupational stress of midwives working in health centers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this quasi‑experimental study, 80 midwives working in health
centers of Zahedan (2017) were divided into test and control groups based on random allocation.
The intervention involved a stress immunization program consisting of two workshops (each lasting
4 h) in two consecutive weeks, which was implemented for the intervention group. As data collection
tool, Health and Safety Executive Occupational Stress Questionnaire was completed in three steps
before, immediately after, and 1 month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive
and analytical statistics, independent t‑test, and repeated measures ANOVA.
RESULTS: The findings showed that mean stress score in the intervention group was increased
from 79.5 ± 9.7 before intervention to 104.5 ± 17.3 immediately after it, which was increased to
110.5 ± 18.3 1 month after intervention (P < 0.001). In the control group, mean stress score was
decreased immediately after as well as 1 month after the intervention, which was statistically significant
after the intervention and 1 month after it (P > 0.023).
CONCLUSION: The stress immunization program is an inexpensive and effective way to reduce the
stress of midwives; therefore, it is suggested to be used to effectively handle occupational stress
among midwives and to improve their quality of care.
Keywords
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