The prevalence of occupational burnout among librarians in three African countries

Authors

Dominic Dankwah Agyei, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana, HoFollow
Faustina Aryeetey, Methodist University College Ghana, Ghana, DansomanFollow
Adaora Chigozie Obuezie, Anambra State College of Health Technology, Obosi, Nigeria, AnambraFollow
Sixolile Nkonyeni, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, JohannesburgFollow

Date of this Version

1-19-2019

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was conducted among librarians from Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa to establish the prevalence of occupational burnout in the library set up. A previously validated self-administered questionnaire [Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)] was used to collect information on the prevalence and pattern of job burnout among the respondents. The occurrence of extreme burnout among the respondents, especially those working in the Electronic and Reference Services area of their libraries was found. The findings of this research calls for both professional and personal avenues to deal with or lessen this menace as it is a difficult issue that affects the wellbeing of library staff, which can thwart libraries from accomplishing their points.