Nursing reports
Mental Health, Burnout, and Turnover Intention Among Nurses in Conflict-Affected Yemen: A Multicenter Study Across Eight Accessible Governorates
By Saleh KA, Ali NT and Alharbi A.
Abstract
Background
Yemen's long-standing armed conflict has decimated the health system and subjected nurses to unprecedented levels of occupational and conflict-related stress. The role of nurses is pivotal, yet little is known about their mental health in Yemen, limiting the evidence available to inform nursing leadership and workforce protection strategies.
Methods
A multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out between January and December 2025, involving 800 registered nurses from 24 health facilities across eight conflict-affected Yemeni governorates using a multistage sampling strategy with probability-based selection of facilities and nurses within accessible governorates. Validated Arabic PHQ-9 and GAD-7 questionnaires (cut-off ≥ 10) were used to assess depression and anxiety. Burnout was assessed using a single-item self-rated measure with pilot validation against the Maslach Burnout Inventory emotional exhaustion subscale (r = 0.82), selected for pragmatic feasibility in a highly stressed population. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to account for clustering at the facility level. Exploratory supplementary analyses examined associations involving self-rated burnout and reported availability of psychological support.