Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College | 2026
Authors: Siddiqui S.S.; Cheema R.U.R.; Bukhari S.M.U.H.; Ghaffar M.; Qamar R.; Parveen A.
DOI: 10.37939/jrmc.v30i1.3025
Journal: Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College
Year: 2026
Publisher: Rawalpindi Medical University
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Cited by: 0
Objective: To assess the mental health and associated factors among healthcare professionals working in high-workload departments of Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from April to July at the Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. We recruited 260 participants (aged 30–65 years and with >6 months of experience) using non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, including the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), where a score above 16 indicated poor mental health. SPSS version 27 was used for data analysis. Chi-square tests identified associations that were then entered into a multivariate logistic regression model to control for confounders and identify independent predictors. Statistical significance in regression was set at p<0.05. Results: A mean GHQ-28 total score of 34.85 (SD=12.29) indicated that 72.3% of participants had poor mental health. The subscales measuring physical symptoms and anxiety/insomnia had the highest mean values. Multivariate logistic regression showed that high job stress was the sole significant predictor of poor mental health, despite bivariate analysis showing significant relationships with a high workload (p = 0.015) and dissatisfaction with work-life balance (p = 0.001). Conclusion: A significant percentage of healthcare professionals in departments with heavy workloads experience mental health issues, which are mostly caused by excessive workloads and a lack of work-life balance. To protect the well-being of healthcare professionals and improve patient care outcomes, targeted interventions, such as mental health support programs, task redistribution, and institutional support mechanisms, are urgently needed. © 2026, Rawalpindi Medical University. All rights reserved.
Allied Health Personnel; Emergency Service; Health Personnel; Hospital; Intensive Care Units; Mental Health; Pakistan; Psychological Stress; Workload