Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 14(2), pp. 359 - 373
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140217
Reprint (PDF) (981Kb)

Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Work-Related Burnout among ICU Nurses in Oman

Sumathi Sasikala Gnanamuthu ^1,*, Najeem Hassan Al Balushi ², Malek Al-Natour ³, Limna Mahaboob ¹, Sabitha Sadanandan ¹, Shobana Gangadharan ¹, Said Abdullah Suliman Al Alawi ^4
1 Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Buraimi, Oman
² Directorate General of Human Resources, Muscat, Oman
³ School of Health Sciences, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
⁴ Al Buraimi Hospital, Buraimi, Oman

ABSTRACT

Burnout at work is a major global health concern, particularly in high-stress professions such as nursing. This cross-sectional analytical study examined the prevalence and associated risk factors of burnout among 130 intensive care unit (ICU) nurses working in government hospitals in Oman. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), which measures emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA). Sociodemographic and occupational factors were evaluated using Siegrist's Effort–Reward Imbalance (ERI) model and Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Results revealed burnout prevalence of 17.8% for EE, 38.2% for DP, and 21.5% for reduced PA. Working more than 40 hours per week was identified as the most significant predictor of burnout. Occupational exhaustion was higher among male nurses and those aged 21–30 years (p = 0.003). Linear regression showed that the Reward scale negatively influenced DP (Sig. = 0.009) and EE (Sig. = 0.004), while the Effort scale (Sig. = 0.011) and Job Crafting Behavior (Sig. = 0.01) significantly affected EE. Over-commitment strongly correlated with DP (Sig. = 0.000), and physical job demands negatively impacted PA (Sig. = 0.017). Long working hours were the major contributing factor to burnout, emphasizing the need for improved working conditions, stress management programs, and supportive interventions for ICU nurses in Oman.

KEYWORDS
Nurses, Burnout, Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), Personal Accomplishment (PA), Job Content Questionnaire, Effort-Reward Imbalance

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Sumathi Sasikala Gnanamuthu , Najeem Hassan Al Balushi , Malek Al-Natour , Limna Mahaboob , Sabitha Sadanandan , Shobana Gangadharan , Said Abdullah Suliman Al Alawi , "Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Work-Related Burnout among ICU Nurses in Oman," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 359 - 373, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140217.

(b). APA Format:
Sumathi Sasikala Gnanamuthu , Najeem Hassan Al Balushi , Malek Al-Natour , Limna Mahaboob , Sabitha Sadanandan , Shobana Gangadharan , Said Abdullah Suliman Al Alawi (2026). Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Work-Related Burnout among ICU Nurses in Oman. Universal Journal of Public Health, 14(2), 359 - 373. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140217.