Factores que influyen en el riesgo de estrés laboral del personal de enfermería en un Hospital Pediátrico de Guayaquil en el área de cuidados intermedios neonatales.

Abstract

Work-related stress occurs when job demands are perceived as excessive or as a threat to the individual, generating physiological and emotional responses. The aim of this study is to analyze the risk factors that influence occupational stress among nursing staff in a pediatric hospital in Guayaquil, specifically in the neonatal intermediate care unit, through the use of a questionnaire in order to establish recommendations for management and prevention. The methodology followed a mixed design, applying surveys to nursing staff and conducting interviews with two team leaders. The results showed that 53.3% of the nursing staff experienced a high level of stress, 33.3% a medium level, and 13.3% a low level. Forty percent of participants were between 20–30 years old, 33.3% between 31–40, and 66.7% were female; 46.7% had more than five years of work experience. Sixty percent reported staff shortages, 73.3% reported unexpected shift changes, and 53.3% indicated insufficient time for tasks. In addition, 66.7% frequently experienced patient deaths. Furthermore, 46.7% faced conflicts with supervisors, and between 40–46.7% with physicians, pointing to limited emotional and communicative support. The findings reveal a high-demand environment with insufficient support, which increases occupational stress among neonatal nursing staff..