Stress in Humanitarian Workers: Case of the UNHCR Office in Senegal

• DOI: 10.55320/mjz.44.1.55
• Publication Date: 2023-01-26T08:12:55Z
• Authors: S A Dia; A S Mohamed; M Gaye Fall
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study

In emerging countries, the consequences of stress remain undervalued. Stress in workplace is increasingly recognized as one most serious occupational health hazards reducing workers’ satisfaction and productivity, well increasing absenteeism turnover.1-3 At beginning, a heavy workload, lack recognition work done communication difficulties.4 There also need to deal with situations where people feel disarmed (suffering beneficiaries, war) or, on contrary, waiting without possibility acting for security reasons.5 The aim our study was assess prevalence among UN Refuges Agency (UNHCR) its local partner (OFADEC) staff Dakar, Senegal, determine main factors. 
 METHODS We conducted descriptive cross-sectional from May 30 December 30, 2012. Sixty individuals were selected through random sampling. Using self-administered questionnaire, we recorded sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, working conditions, career plan proposals improvement, assessment relational problems. Data entered processed by Epi-Info 3.5.4 Microsoft Excel software.
 RESULTS
 Fifty-two employees participated study: OFADEC 22 UNHCR male predominance (sex ratio = 1.73). It young population, between 20 39 years 53.84% cases (table 1), smoking 11.53% having sleep disorders 15.38% cases. Two-thirds respondents had fixed-term contract (78.8%). estimated be 40.38% (n 21) predominantly within population 2). Almost all Stressed (92.9%) worked team 66.7% been continuously during last 12 months. majority (42.9%, n 25) felt exhausted, worried (23.8%, 12), ill-being (19%, 10) gone other several feelings 14.3% N 7) (71.4%, 37) stressed took an aggressive approach slightly more than half (56.7%, 29) reported being verbally abused.
 DISCUSSION
 higher compared certain series literature.6,7 type organizations NGOs (renewable one-year contract) creates job insecurity especially at end therefore source employees. average age series, shows youthfulness population. encountered not only multiple problems refugees, but colleagues hierarchy. Effective management requires organizational arrangements that are conducive physical mental workers.