Individual Factors Influencing Occupational Burnout among Nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Burnout syndrome remains a pervasive occupational health challenge among nurses, manifesting as emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation (cynicism), and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment. Individual factors—encompassing sociodemographic characteristics, behavioural habits, and personal beliefs—substantially shape the risk, severity, and experience of burnout in nursing professionals. Understanding the multifaceted interplay of these determinants is imperative for developing targeted interventions that address both personal and systemic vulnerabilities within clinical environments. Aim: This study sought to elucidate the individual determinants of occupational burnout among nurses employed at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, thereby contributing evidence to inform institutional wellness strategies. Setting: The research was conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital, the country’s premier tertiary care institution and a critical referral centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was undertaken involving 308 nurses across various departments. Data collection utilised pretested self-administered questionnaires incorporating the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata version 15, applying multivariate logistic regression to examine associations between individual-level factors and distinct burnout dimensions, while adjusting for confounding variables. Results: The findings reveal a high prevalence of burnout, with 52.9% of respondents experiencing emotional exhaustion, 58.1% exhibiting cynicism, and 39.6% reporting reduced personal accomplishment. Statistically significant predictors of burnout dimensions include gender (male nurses exhibited lower odds of emotional exhaustion; OR = 0.4), marital status (being married increased risk of both emotional exhaustion and cynicism; OR = 2.3 and 2.7, respectively), religious affiliation (being Muslim was associated with higher cynicism and lower personal accomplishment; OR = 7.1 and 0.3, respectively), regular cigarette smoking (increased risk for emotional exhaustion and reduced personal accomplishment; OR = 5.3 and 5.5, respectively), and lack of regular physical exercise (protective against emotional exhaustion; OR = 0.16). While preliminary analysis suggested a link between higher income and burnout, multivariate results indicated no statistically significant association across any burnout dimensions. Additionally, holding a master’s degree was not a statistically significant independent predictor of burnout, indicating that academic advancement alone does not confer increased risk among this cohort. Conclusion: Occupational burnout is highly prevalent among nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital, with select individual-level characteristics—especially gender, marital status, religious affiliation, smoking, and exercise habits—emerging as significant correlates. The role of income in this sample was not statistically significant and should not be considered a key individual risk factor in this context. Early identification of at-risk groups remains essential for targeted prevention. Contribution: This study advances understanding of the complex, context-specific predictors of nurse burnout in a major sub-Saharan African tertiary care hospital and underlines the need for nuanced, evidence-based interventions focused on modifiable personal and lifestyle factors.