Workplace Conditions, Occupational Stress and Self-Reported Productivity among University Workers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Occupational stress and anxiety represent important challenges to employee well-being and productivity in higher education. This study examined the drivers of occupational stress and anxiety and their implications for employee well-being and productivity among university workers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted, involving 400 academic and non-academic workers selected from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State University and Ritman University through a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and key-informant interviews and analysed using frequencies, percentages and a Chi-Square test of independence at the 0.05 significance level. Findings showed substantial exposure to work-related stress, with 60.5% of respondents experiencing work-related worry for at least eight days within the previous four weeks, 83.0% reporting difficulty concentrating, and 81.5% experiencing work-related sleep disturbance. Furthermore, 61.5% had missed at least one workday because of stress-related concerns, 77.0% had delayed work tasks, and 79.0% reported reduced work output during high-stress periods. However, the Chi-Square test indicated no significant difference in stress-induced productivity loss across the three universities (χ² = 2.184, df = 6, p = 0.902). The study recommends institutional workload management, improved working conditions, employee wellness support and stronger human-resource practices.