CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
This chapter covers the research design, study setting, target

population, sample size, sampling technique and research instrument.

Other areas covered included validity and reliability of research

instrument, method of data collection, data analysis and ethical

consideration

3.1 Research design

A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for the study to collect

data for portraying the characteristics of nurses at Dadinkowa

Comprehensive Health Centre with specific regard to occupational

stress levels and coping strategies. This design was chosen because of

its appropriateness for the purposes of the study.

3.2 Study Setting

The setting for this research is Dadin-kowa Comprehensive Health

Centre Jos. It is located in Jos-south local Government Area along

Bukuru road opposite Zarmaganda junction Jos.

It is a secondary health care centre, it was formally known as Aisha

Manna Children’s clinic before, it was taken over by the

Plateau State Hospital Management Board and the name (Aisha

Manna children’s clinic) changed to comprehensive health centre.

Jos-south is dominated by the Berom.

The hospital has 5 major departments which are; the administrative,

medical, nursing unit, pharmacy and laboratory.

The nursing department consists of 3 wards; male ward, children ward

(Paediatric ward) and female/medical ward or gynaecological ward or

obstetric ward which consists of twelve (12) beds per ward. Each bed

is spaced 3-5 inch from another. The hospital presently has the

strength of 80 staff including Doctors, Midwives, Nurses, Community

Healthworkers, laboratory techniques, pharmacists and attendant.

3.3 Target Population

The target population for this study include thirty (30) nurses working

in Dadinkowa comprehensive health Centre within the period of this

study.

Inclusion Criterion: The study included only Registered Nurses who

have worked for at least one year on full term bases

Exclusion Criterion: The study excluded other categories of nurses

are not on full term and worked for less than one year such as intern
nurses, student nurses, nurses on locum appointment and nurses who

are on Leave.

3.4 Sample Size

A total number of one hundred (30) respondents was selected from

the target population using a non-probability sampling method. Only

those willing to participate in the study were selected and used for the

study.

3.5 Sampling technique

The calculated sample of nurses (respondents) was selected using

Probability Proportional to Size sampling technique in which the 30

respondents were shared out among all number of units of the hospital

.This ensures that a fair chance of being selected was given to all the

nurses in the hospital.

3.6 Research Instrument

A pre-tested and structured self-administered questionnaire was used

for the study which was developed through adaptation from a tool

used in a study on Management Standards’ and work-related stress in

the UK developed by Cousins [Link] (2004). The questionnaire consists

of five (5) sections.

Section A consists of six (6) questions on demographic characteristics

such as age, gender, marital status, educational level, duration of work

or years of experience and unit at work.

Section B consistsof twelve (12) questions on the nature of

occupational stress.

Section C consists of twenty-three (22) questions on the contributing

factors of occupational stress with variables such as the working

environment, working relationship, role and organizational factor.

Section D consists of sixteen (16) questions on the effects of stress on

work performance among nurses.

Section E consists of Thirteen (13) questions on the coping strategies

of occupational stress comprising of different variables used by nurses

in coping with stress.

3.7 Validity and Reliability of Research instrument

The validity of the questionnaire was determined by its content,

comments, criticism and corrections by the supervisor for content

validity before the final draft was obtained. Also, a pre-test of the

instrument was done in a different setting to determine whether

questions are clear, unambiguous and could be understood by the

participants to ensure its reliability.

3.8 Method of data collection

The data for this study was obtained through the use

ofstructured questionnaires with close –ended questions. Oral

questioning and clarification might be done when the need arises.

Thirty questionnaires will be administered to the various

respondents after explaining the purpose of the study, possible risk,

possible benefits, confidentiality, voluntariness in participation, roles

of the respondents and roles of the researcher to gain their

consent. The entry point of meeting the participants was through

the various heads of units of the hospital and offering the

questionnaire to those eligible participants who are willing to partake

in the study. The respondents was given 1-3 days to complete each

questionnaire which contains pre– determined answers from which

the participants selected the answers that best expressed their views

with regards to occupational stress in the hospital. Data collection

process will lasts for 3 weeks after approval was obtained.

3.9 Data analysis
Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social

Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 Frequency tables and charts were also

used where necessary to present the results.

3.9 Ethical Consideration

An official permission was obtained from the hospital management

to carryout this research. Also, the researcherensured that the

respondents had:

[Link] right of anonymity: There should be no provision of name or

address on the questionnaire and their identity should be highly

respected.

[Link] right to confidentiality and privacy: To ensure that secrecy of

information provided and the researcher ensures

that data the respondents were safe from harm in any other way.

The researcher also explained to the respondents clearly everything

concerning the study by obtaining informed consent and self-

determination from the subjects.

QUESTIONNAIRE;
SECTION A; Socio-demographic data;
(Instruction; select the appropriate option)
1. Age
a. 20-25years
b. 26-30years
c. 31-35years
d. 36-40years
e. Above 40
2. Marital status
a. Married
b. Single
3. Sex
a. Male
b. Female
4. Highest level of qualification
a. Registered Nurse (RN)
b. BNSc
c. Higher degree
5. Department/Unit
a. O&G unit
b. Pediatrics
c. Psychiatry
d. Theatre
6. Years of experience
 a. Less than 3years
b. 3-5years
c. 6-8years
d. 9years above

(Instruction: Tick where appropriate)

SECTION B; Nature of occupational stress;
EMOTIONAL:
Variables Never Sometimes On a Most
regular often
basis
Diminishing
creativity
and
initiative
Avoiding
others
Feeling bad
about self
(low self
esteem),
lonely,
worthless
and
depressed

PHYSICAL:
Variables Never Sometimes On a Most
regular often
basis
Loss of
sexual
desire
and /ability
Sleeping
difficulties
eg. Insomnia
Nervousness
and shaking,
ringing in
the ear, cold
or sweaty
hands and
feet

COGNITIVE:
Variables Never Sometimes On a Most
regular often
basis
Forgetfulness
and
disorganizatio
n
Being
pessimistic or
seeing only
the negative
side
Inability to
focus

BEHAVIOURAL:
Variables Never Sometimes On a Most often
regular
 basis
Procrastinatin
g and avoiding
responsibilities
Increased use
of
drugs/alcohol
Exhibiting
more nervous
behavior

SECTION C; Factors associated with occupational stress;

PROFESSIONAL FACTORS:
Variables Neve Seldom Sometimes Often
r
Limited time to
carry out duties

Very heavy
workload

Difficult patients
and relatives

Monotonous
and
repetitive/boring
work

Working under
time pressure

Inadequate
break time/meal
times

WORK ENVIRONMENT FACTORS;

Variables Never Seldom Sometime Often
s
Noisy working
environment

Poor ventilation at
work

Poor
equipment/insufficien
t resources

Unhygienic and unsafe

environment

RELATIONSHIP FACTORS;
Variables Never Seldom Sometimes Often
Poor relationship with
colleagues

Poor relationship with

supervisors

Lack of communication

Lack of
appreciation/motivation
ROLE FACTORS;
Variables Never Seldom Sometime Often
s
Conflicting
roles with
others

Unclear
expectations

Harassment
or
discrimination

ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS;
Variables Never Seldom Sometimes Often
Change in
policy

Rigid rules and

regulation

Shortage of
staff

Poor
communication
network

SECTION D; Effects of occupational stress;

Variables Low Moderate High Very high
Cardiovascular
issues
Metabolic
disorders
Gastrointestinal
disorders
Feeling od
uneasiness
Emotional
exhaustion
Depression
Fatigue
Medical errors
Burnout
Accidents
Anxiety
Sleepiness
Substance
abuse
Decrease in
care
Low staff
turnover

SECTION E; Coping mechanisms adopted by nurses;

Variables Never Seldom On a Most
regular often
basis
Using
meditation

Delegating
responsibilities
Exercising
Getting away
Working on
hobbies
Planning ahead
of stress
Talking with
colleagues
Engaging in
religious/spiritual
activities
Listening to
music/watching
television
Using
drugs/alcohol
Taking a short
period to relax
Setting priorities
and dealing with
problem
accordingly
Going for annual
leave