Socio-Demographic Correlates of Burnout Syndrome amongst Community Health Promoters: A Case of Ruiru Sub County, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Burnout syndrome has emerged as a major occupational health concern, particularly among frontline workers such as Community Health Promoters (CHPs), who play an important role in bridging the gap between health systems and communities. Previous research has shown that primary health workers experience emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment which affects service delivery and personal well-being. Few studies in Kenya have examined the socio-demographic correlates of burnout among CHPs particularly at the sub-county level, resulting in a large information vacuum that this study aimed to solve. The purpose of this study was to gain deeper insights into the socio-demographic dynamics influencing burnout among CHPs in Ruiru Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya, and to identify mechanisms for its reduction. The study's specific objective was to analyze the socio-demographic characteristics of burnout among CHPs in Ruiru Sub County, to establish the relationship between socio-demographic factors and burnout among CHPs, and to investigate the coping methods used by CHPs to minimize burnout. The study is based on the Conservation of Resources (COR), Job Demand-Resource (JD-R) and Perceived Organization Support Theories (POS). The COR hypothesis emphasizes how people try to acquire, preserve, and defend resources, with burnout occurring when these resources are endangered or exhausted. The JD-R theory adds to this by emphasizing the relationship between high job demands and inadequate resources, which frequently results in stress and burnout. The POS theory states that when employees perceive strong organizational support, they are motivated. These theories, taken together, provided a solid theoretical platform for investigating how socio-demographic characteristics such as age, gender, education, marital status, and years of service influence CHP burnout. The conceptual framework that underpins this study posits that socio-demographic factors operate as independent variables impacting burnout (the dependent variable), whereas coping methods act as intervening factors that can either reduce or worsen it. Target population was 192 CHPs, while the sample size comprised of 65 CHPs. The study employed a correlational research design. Quantitative data collected using researcher-structured questionnaires and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), were analyzed using SPSS utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical considerations were duly observed. Findings indicated that burnout among CHPs was generally low, although a few experienced moderate emotional exhaustions, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Specifically, 61.5% reported low emotional exhaustion, 70.8% low depersonalization, and 61.5% low reduced personal accomplishment. No significant relationships were found between socio-demographic variables gender (p > 0.05), education level (p = 0.521), marital status (p = 0.397), and years of experience (p = 0.313) and burnout levels, though slight, statistically insignificant variations were observed. However, the results showed a moderate positive and statistically significant relationship with age (p = 0.005). Coping strategies such as maintaining work-life balance and social support were key in mitigating burnout. The study concluded that burnout among CHPs is low and is influenced more by work-related and organizational factors than by demographic characteristics and recommended strengthening wellness programs, psychosocial support, and equitable workload distribution to promote CHP well-being and performance