Le Stress Professionnel chez les sages femmes de l’EHS de Laghouat

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 40 midwives working at the Specialized Hospital Establishment (EHS) of Laghouat, Algeria, to assess the prevalence, levels, and associated factors of occupational stress in this setting. The Karasek and Siegrist models were used to identify stress profiles and their determinants. The results show a high prevalence of occupational stress: 30% of midwives have a “Job Strain” profile, 47.5% experience effort-reward imbalance, and 52.5% display high overcommitment. Organizational factors, such as workload, insufficient staffing, time pressure, and lack of recognition, are the main determinants of stress, while sociodemographic variables are not significantly associated. Occupational stress has a significant impact on the mental and physical health of midwives, affecting their well-being and the quality of care provided. The study recommends preventive actions focused on improving staffing, working conditions, and professional recognition. Keywords: occupational stress, midwives, EHS Laghouat, Karasek, Siegrist, workload, recognition, mental health, prevention