Health-related Quality of Life and Determinants of the Mental Dimension Among Tunisian Nurses in Public Hospitals

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study are to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among nurses in Tunisian public hospitals and to identify the determinants of its mental dimension. METHODS: A cross-sectional, bi-centric study was conducted within a representative sample of the 1,179 nurses assigned to 28 departments of two Tunisian public hospitals (n=301). A structured inquiry (socio-professional characteristics, occupational perceived workload) and validated questionnaires (Short-Form 12 Health Survey, Job Content Karasek’s Questionnaire, Work Ability Index) have been completed. Statistical analysis was based on the χ(2) test for simple cross-tabulation, whereas multivariate analysis of correlations was based on multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The response rate was equal to 97.34% (n=301). The mean age of nurses was 42.60±21 years, and nearly half of them (49.07%) had a poor mental quality of life. The multivariate analysis suggested an association between mental HRQOL and female gender (β=-.060), obesity and lack of regular physical activity (β=.0.89), musculoskeletal diseases (β=-.0.41), and poor ability to work (β=.387). This deterioration of the mental HRQOL dimension was also associated with job tenure (p=0.002), perceived workload (p=0.015), conflictual relationships with colleagues (β=.049), feeling of insecurity at work (β=.049), and the intention to leave the profession early (β=-.065). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that a considerable number of nurses had a poor mental quality of life. This study also identified factors associated with this deterioration. Acting on these determining factors may improve nurses’ well-being and global health, as well as their work performance and the quality of care provided.