Comparison of Stress Levels among Female Doctors Working in Government versus Private Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi

Abstract

Objective; To compare stress levels among female doctors in government versus private hospitals in Karachi. Study Design: Comparative, cross sectional study Place and Duration: This study was carried out in two hospitals of Saddar Town Karachi, during the period of January 2013 to June 2013 for a period of six months. Material & Methods: Hundred junior female doctors were selected on the basis ofconvenient sample technique. Participants filled out the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and answered a questionnaire asking about possible stressors. The total PSS score was calculated and level of stress calculated. Results: The total PSS score was 1020 in doctors ofprivate, and 932 of-government hospitals. High scores on PSS indicate high levels of stress. Dissatisfaction with compensation and having children below the age of 18 were significant contributors of stress for respondents. The regression results indicate that working in a private hospital resulted in statistically significant higher stress levels. Conclusion: Majority of the female doctors who participated in our study were dissatisfied with the working environment within the hospital. A key finding of our study is that stress levels (as measured by the PSS scale) are lower amongst respondents from the government hospital.