Assessing work-related fatigue and burden among Egyptian oncology nurses: a cross-sectional study

Background Despite increasing attention to nurse fatigue globally, little is known about its prevalence and contributing factors among Egyptian oncology nurses. Work-related fatigue and burden not only affect nurses ' well-being but also compromise patient care quality and healthcare system efficiency. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of work-related fatigue and burden among oncology nurses in Egypt and to identify their associated factors. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the Mansoura Oncology Center in Egypt. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit 273 nurses during their work shifts. Data were collected through a structured face-to-face questionnaire, incorporating socio-demographic details and the Arabic version of the "Self-diagnosis Checklist for Assessment of Workers'Accumulated Fatigue". Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to identify significant predictors. Results The mean fatigue score among participants was 16.2 +/- 7.5, with 24.5% of nurses experiencing grade IV fatigue. Regarding work burden, 68.1% of nurses reported grade D burden. Multivariate analysis revealed that being married, holding a bachelor's degree or higher, and having less than 10 years of work experience were independent predictors of grade IV fatigue, with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of 2.8, 2.2, and 2.4, respectively. Grade D burden was independently associated with being unmarried (AOR = 2.2) and reporting insufficient income (AOR = 2.8). Conclusions The findings highlight a high prevalence of severe work-related fatigue and burden among oncology nurses in Egypt. Addressing these challenges through institutional policies, adequate staffing, financial support, and targeted mental health interventions is essential. Further research should explore causal relationships and implement interventions to mitigate fatigue and burden in oncology nursing practice.