Introduction

Previous data suggest that healthcare students, such as nursing students, might have a differential risk of presenting burnout syndrome caused by the stress they are subjected to. However, the evidence is still scarce and inconclusive.

Objective

To evaluate the association between nursing training and burnout syndrome among undergraduate students in Hidalgo, Mexico.

Method

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 566 undergraduate students (56% were nursing students and the rest were non-healthcare students). Burnout syndrome was identified using the Spanish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey, consisting of subscales: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished academic efficacy. The association between the variables of interest was evaluated using logistic regression models adjusted for confounders.

Results

In the depersonalization subscale, nursing students, compared with non-healthcare students, had an adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) of moderate/high burnout syndrome of 2.08 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.34, 3.22]). In addition, the association was stronger among students in the third and fourth school years (aOR = 3.58; 95% CI = [1.62, 7.89]) compared with those in the first and second school years (aOR = 1.20; 95% CI = [.71, 2.03]).

Discussion and conclusion

It is necessary that universities provide nursing students with tools that allow them to cope with stressful situations during their academic training and their future life as health professionals.

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