Factors Influencing Nurses' Self Care Practices

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed nurses to more stress and inability to practice self-care activities. These have resulted in conditions that threaten their health, well-being, and ability to work. Nurses’ lack of self-care can predispose them to chronic health conditions and staff burnout which may adversely affect patient care. The panacea for this concern is a deliberate effort to promote holistic health and wellbeing through self-care activities targeted towards physical, mental, social and spiritual aspects of nurses. The purpose of this study was to explore factors influencing self-care practices among registered nurses during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to select 294 nurses from four urban hospitals in Kingston Jamaica. A questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Logistical regression analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22.0. Ethical approval was obtained. Results: The response rate was 46% (Out of 294 questionnaires distributed, only 136 were returned). Although 93% of participants engage in self-care activities during COVID-19 pandemic, only 45% practiced self-care on a daily basis. Half of the participants (50%) practiced self care activities sometimes while 5% do not engage in self care practices. Activities that promote psychological and social wellbeing were not common among participants. Most self care activities were towards the promotion of physical health and wellbeing. Majority of respondents indicated that excess workload, fatigue, lack of time and poor remuneration are factors that prevent their practice of self-care. Findings also revealed that demographic data such as age, sex, income, gender and ethnic background influences self-care practices among nurses. Conclusion: The practice of self care among nurses needs improvements. Although respondents engage in some activities to care for self, majority are not consistent with this practice.