Estresse ocupacional e engagement em profissionais de saúde bucal da atenção primária à saúde

Abstract

The work process influences the health of professionals. Depending on how this relationship is established, the work can act as a factor of balance and development, or deterioration to health. In this context, engagement and occupational stress become important indicators of worker´s health. Purpose: Evaluate the levels of occupational stress and engagement in oral health professionals from Primary Health Care. Method: Quantitative, descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study, with oral health professionals from Primary Care Units in the city of São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo. Three self-applied instruments were used: one developed by the researchers, containing sociodemographic and professional variables; the Occupational Stress Scale (EET) and the Utrech Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Occupational stress was measured through calculation of an average overall score and an average score for each item on the scale. The calculation of the UWES dimensions followed the statistical model proposed in the UWES Preliminary Manual. For the correlation analysis between occupational stress and the UWES dimensions, the Pearson correlation test was used. The level of significance was 95% (p<0.05). Results: Thirty-one professionals participated, being 20 (64.5%) dentists and 11 (35.5%) bucal health assistant. There was prevalence of female (67.7%), age group of 40 years or more (45.2%), married (83.9%), enrolled/statutory (51.6%), with weekly hours (74.2%), with no other gainful activity (61.3%), three to ten years (41.9%) and satisfied with profession (90.3%). The sample did not present significant levels of stress, but nine (29.0%) professionals obtained scores compatible with significant stress (>2.5). The professionals presented high levels of engagement in all dimensions. Occupational stress and engagement correlate negatively. Conclusions: Workers presented high levels of engagement; some aspects related to work cause stress. Occupational stress and engagement tend to be inversely proportional.