Work Stress of Covid-19 Health Workers: Analysis of Factors in Public Health Centres and Hospitals in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Background: Work-related stress occurs when occupational stressors, either individually or in combination with other factors, interact with personal characteristics, resulting in disturbances to physiological and psychological equilibrium. The emergence of the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not only posed substantial threats to physical health but has also exerted a profound impact on mental well-being. At the individual level, the pandemic has generated fear of infection, anxiety related to severe illness or mortality, feelings of helplessness, and social stigmatization. Consequently, the COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated a widespread psychological crisis, particularly among healthcare workers. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of individual characteristics, opportunity factors, constraints, and job demands on the incidence of occupational stress among healthcare workers involved in COVID-19 management at public health centres and hospitals in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Specifically, the study sought to identify evidence-based strategies for managing and mitigating work-related stress among health professionals in healthcare facilities in Kendari Ci