Visualization of Work Stress and Workload Data on Nurses at Makassar City Hospital (a Study Using Saliva Biomarker Examination Approach)

Abstract

Background: Health services are one of the duties and responsibilities of a nurse. Providing optimal service is a major contribution to patient recovery. The implementation of services performed by nurses is usually faced with various conditions that can trigger work stress. Work stress is one of the obstacles for nurses in providing health services. The emergence of work stress in nurses due to their work being in close contact with patients and other factors such as work location, various inpatient cases, labor shortages, forced overtime hours, and the attitude of the head of the ward can put pressure on nurses.   Objective: To determine the visualization of work stress and workload data on nurses at Makassar City Hospital using the approach of examining salivary biomarkers.   Research methods: This study uses a longitudinal study approach, namely conducting an analytical study that aims to follow the development of work stress events in nurses at Makassar City Hospital. The research will be carried out for 3 years, namely 2023 – 2025. The first year of this research, namely 2023, has started from August-September 2023. The research location was carried out in 2 (two) Makassar City Hospitals namely Labuang Baji Hospital and Daya General Hospital. The number of samples in this study was 100 people. The research instrument used was a questionnaire used to collect primary data related to the characteristics of the respondents and workload. The cocorometer tool is used to measure work stress through salivary biomarkers. This tool functions to measure stress levels based on α-amylase in the salivary glands. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 21.   Conclusion: Visualization of stress data found that respondents at Labuang Baji Hospital had 42 people who did not experience stress. Likewise, respondents at Daya General Hospital found 46 people who did not experience stress. This is in accordance with workload data for nurses in both hospitals. There were 16 people at Labuang Baji Hospital who stated their workload was light. It's the same with nurses who are at the Daya General Hospital. Most nurses stated that their workload was light, namely 27 people. It is hoped that nurses will continue to be able to control themselves (coping) against the working conditions they face, manage their time well, get enough rest, self-management to minimize the risk of stress. Another thing that is also important to apply is a healthy lifestyle and exercise. Hospital management is expected to properly implement policies and strategies related to stress and fatigue management in the workplace.