CHAPTER THREE (3).

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

Research methodology is the study of research methods. This approach brings about

discussions of associated background assumptions. This chapter emphasizes on the

methodology used in the study. the chapter starts with a description of the study area, the

study type, the study population, the sample, sample size, sampling techniques, data

collection techniques and tools, data entering and cleaning, data analysis, ethical

consideration, and limitations of the study.

3.2 Background to The Study Area:

Saint Elizabeth catholic hospital has a commitment to delivering quality healthcare and also

serves as a referral facility to several districts in the Asutifi South district. The mission

statement of the hospitals is to provide quality healthcare services accessible to all people

living within the Hwidiem and to continue Christ’s healing ministry.

St. Elizabeth catholic hospital provides a range of services such as reproductive and child

health services, diagnostic services (laboratory and ultrasound), pharmaceutical services,

outpatient consultation, in-patient services, emergency services surgical services, fistula

repairs,

art/counseling, eye care, diabetes and hypertension clinics, and mortuary services. the

hospital is endowed with medical practitioners such as the general surgeon, gynecologist,

physician assistant, pharmacist, and host of nurses and midwives. (St. Elizabeth catholic

hospital annual report, 2021).

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3.2.1 Background to the Study Area: Asutifi South District (Hwidiem)

Asutifi is strategically located in the Brong Ahafo region and by this strategic location, the

District has a market potential for local goods from the agricultural and commence sectors

from the other districts in the region. Asutifi district is one of the thirteen (13) districts in the

Brong Ahafo region. it is located in the central part of the region and shares boundaries with

Sunyani municipal to the north, Tano to the south, Domaa to the east, and Kenyasi to the

west. The district has a total estimated land size of 936 sq. km (Ghana Statistical Service,

2010). geographically, the district lies between latitudes 6 0 40 and 70 151 north and longitude

20 15 and 20 45 west.

Asutifi is strategically located in the Brong Ahafo region and by this strategic location, the

District has a market potential for local goods from the agricultural and commence sectors

from the other districts in the region.

3.2.2 Justification for Choice of Study Area

Saint Elizabeth Catholic Hospital joined the Ghana national health insurance Scheme (NHIS)

in 2003. since then, the number of cases attended to by nurses of the hospital keeps

increasing. This posed a significant work demand on health practitioners particularly nurses

of the hospital. the nurse-patient ratio is very challenging in the health sector of Ghana, and

the case of Saint Elizabeth catholic hospital is no exception and constituted a major stressor

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among nurses. moreover, there was also growing concern regarding the quality-of-service

delivery provided by nurses due to the high workload placed on them.

Studying the determinants of workplace stress among Saint Elizabeth catholic hospital nurses

could possibly result in sensitizing the: ministry of health. their staff and all stakeholders of

health care delivery on the need to implement policies that would address the issue of

workplace future research in the area of workplace and its management among health

workers in Ghana.

3.3 Study Design

The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design in which a quantitative approach was

employed to examine one variable in different groups that are similar in all other

characteristics. The cross-sectional survey involves using different groups of people who

differ in the variable of interest but share other characteristics, such as socio-economic status,

educational background and ethnicity (Nashiru, 2017).

3.4 Study Population

This population refers to all nurses working at the St. Elizabeth Hospital. The accessible

population for this study includes all nurses in St. Elizabeth who were available and

responded to the research questionnaires. St. Elizabeth has an estimated staff nurses

population of 120 respectively. these nurses work in different wards and units of the

hospitals. they are of different levels of education and also work day and night shifts.

3.5.1 Inclusion Criteria

all nurses with licenses and professional certificates who practice.

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3.5.2 Exclusion Criteria

Nonprofessional nurses who have not yet attained professional certificates and license

3.6 Sampling techniques

A simple random technique was adopted to select the respondents. A sample portion of a

whole population was selected in a fair manner with each subject having an equal chance of

being chosen. The respondents were chosen using simple random sampling without bias.

Therefore all respondents have equal chances of being chosen. This also prevents errors. The

disadvantage of this method is that, people who are unwilling could be selected to represent a

group.

3.6.1 Sample Size Determination.

There are several approaches to determining the sample size. The sampling size for the study

was adapted from the calculation by Yamane (1967);

n=n/(1+ne2)

n= the estimated sample size

n=the population of the study area

e=margin of error (0.005)therefore n= 120/(1+120(0.05)2)

a sample size of 97 was estimated for this study.

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3.7 Study Variables

The independent and dependent variables that influence development stress among

participants are as follows.

3.7.1 Dependent Variables

These variables include; stress and anxiety, which have been proven to bring changes in work

performances and outcomes .stress and anxiety seem to affect nursing care and affect patient

care.

3.7.2 Independent Variables

These variables include; depression, workload, long working hours, absenteeism, job

dissatisfaction, drinking and smoking, role conflict, and degree of responsibility among

others. These variables can be manipulated.

3.8 Indicators Assessed in the Study

Psychological indicators (anger and fear) cause psychological morbidity and suicidal

tendencies.

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physiological indicators (high heart rate, high recorded bp, etc.)

3.9 Data Collection Instrument

Tools for data collection included structured questionnaires, encompassing close-ended

questions, developed by researchers to collect quantitative data. questionnaires were framed

in simple and clear English language to ensure that respondents understood the questions.

sections one access demographic whiles the rest addressed the various objectives of the study.

3.10 Data Collection Procedure

This started from the head of the nursing department of UDS where a permission letter was

given to us to present to Saint Elizabeth catholic hospital, permission was granted from the

Medical facility and questionnaires were printed for the selected nursing staff

3.10.1 Collection of Primary Data

The primary data source will be structured questionnaires given to permanent nurses in the

hospital who have qualified licenses and certificates to practice nursing in Ghana.

3.11 Data Quality and Control

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Questionnaires were handed to instructors and together with researchers adopted various

techniques to enable respondents to understand what is required of them in order that

accuracy of being collected can be achieved. this required that instructors sign each question

and mode of response required for each question to the respondents.

3.12 Limitations of the Study

1. staffs working on shifts , off-duty, annual, casual, and maternity leaves.

2. Money to finance the project

3. Length of time for the study

4. Nursing staff already working on duty are stressed up

3.13 Strengths of the Study

1. Nursing staff are ready to have answers to this problem

2. very determined to finish the research

3. Nursing staffs are ready to participate in the research

4. Nursing staffs are able to compensate with their time

3.14 Ethical Consideration

The study did not contravene the ethical laws. every participant was assured on we keeping

their information confidential. A letter was obtained from the University for development

studies, the Nursing and Midwifery, university department and presented to the Saint

Elizabeth catholic hospital to carry a research work. The nursing staff that participated was

not coerced but did so voluntarily. As much as possible, the researchers exercised a great deal

of circumspection and objectivity throughout the research period

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3.15 Informed Consent

The researchers obtained informed consent from all the participants by means of a dialogue,

during with each participant was informed of the purpose of the study and also assured of

confidentiality and the anonymity of the respondent.