Work related stiess and coping mechanisms among bankers in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

background: This study assessed knowledge, prevalence, associated factors and mechanisms of coping with stress among bankers in Lagos State. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A two-stage sampling technique w a s used to select two hundred and twenty-seven (227) respondents. Data was collected using a structure d self-administered questionnaire. The analysis was done using Epi-info version 2002 software and Chi Square was used to determine association between variables at p value 0.05. Fischer's Exact test was used where Chi-square was not valid. Results: The age range of respondents was between 20 and 49 years while the mean age w a s 31.3 ± 5.0 years. Only 3.6% had good level of knowledge about stress, 42.2% had fair level while more than half of the respondents had poor level of knowledge about stress (54.3%). Majority (67.0%) of the respondents were moderately stressed while one quarter (24.7%) were highly stressed. Majority (92.4%>) of the respondents used good coping mechanisms though 69.5%> of the respondents also used bad coping mechanisms. A greater proportion of those w h o had poor knowledge about stress were stressed or highly stressed (p=0.002). A statistically significant association was also found between the departments in the bank and level of stress of the respondents (p=0. (X)2). Conclusion and Recommendation: T h e prevalence of stress was high among the bank workers studied. It is recommended that effective stress management programs are implemented to address the problem of stress among bank workers.