Association between selected nurse outcomes and the quality of care in Intensive Care Units in Namibia: A Cross-Sectional Study
1
Department of Medical Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
2
School of Nursing Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1493
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Nurse outcomes such as burnout, job and career satisfaction, and turnover intention are theorised to affect healthcare quality, yet empirical evidence from intensive care unit (ICU) settings, particularly in Namibia, remains limited. This study examined the impact of these nurse outcomes on nurse-perceived quality of healthcare in Namibian ICUs.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional quantitative study surveyed 110 ICU nurses across 11 units in six Namibian hospitals (eight public, three private) between December 2023 and April 2024, achieving a 73% response rate. Descriptive statistics summarised respondents' characteristics, and ANOVA-type hierarchical linear modelling examined associations between nurse outcomes and perceived healthcare quality.
RESULTS:
Most respondents were registered nurses (81.3%, n=87) working in general ICUs within public hospitals. Although high levels of burnout were reported, the majority expressed satisfaction with their jobs (87%; n=94) and careers (92.7%; n=101). Burnout and job dissatisfaction were significantly associated with lower confidence in managerial support, higher incidences of healthcare-associated infections, and increased complaints and verbal abuse from patients and their families. By contrast, career satisfaction was linked to higher overall patient safety ratings, while intention to leave the profession showed no significant association with perceived quality of care. These findings highlight the critical role of nurse well-being in ensuring safe and effective healthcare delivery.
CONCLUSIONS:
Burnout as well as job and career dissatisfaction are associated with negative perceptions of quality of care. Organisational strategies aimed at reducing burnout and improving job and career satisfaction are essential to support a stable and effective ICU workforce.
Nurse outcomes such as burnout, job and career satisfaction, and turnover intention are theorised to affect healthcare quality, yet empirical evidence from intensive care unit (ICU) settings, particularly in Namibia, remains limited. This study examined the impact of these nurse outcomes on nurse-perceived quality of healthcare in Namibian ICUs.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional quantitative study surveyed 110 ICU nurses across 11 units in six Namibian hospitals (eight public, three private) between December 2023 and April 2024, achieving a 73% response rate. Descriptive statistics summarised respondents' characteristics, and ANOVA-type hierarchical linear modelling examined associations between nurse outcomes and perceived healthcare quality.
RESULTS:
Most respondents were registered nurses (81.3%, n=87) working in general ICUs within public hospitals. Although high levels of burnout were reported, the majority expressed satisfaction with their jobs (87%; n=94) and careers (92.7%; n=101). Burnout and job dissatisfaction were significantly associated with lower confidence in managerial support, higher incidences of healthcare-associated infections, and increased complaints and verbal abuse from patients and their families. By contrast, career satisfaction was linked to higher overall patient safety ratings, while intention to leave the profession showed no significant association with perceived quality of care. These findings highlight the critical role of nurse well-being in ensuring safe and effective healthcare delivery.
CONCLUSIONS:
Burnout as well as job and career dissatisfaction are associated with negative perceptions of quality of care. Organisational strategies aimed at reducing burnout and improving job and career satisfaction are essential to support a stable and effective ICU workforce.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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