Iran Journal of Nursing

  Background and Aim: Stress is one of the factors that upset body regulation by changing internal stability. Today, stress is considered as inseparable part of life that has a negative effect on functional competence and health of the person. The purpose of this study was to identify midwifes occupational stressors from the viewpoints of midwifery students studying at medical sciences universities of Tehran in 2006.

  Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study a number of 260 midwifery students, studying at Tehran medical sciences universities were selected through census. Data were collected by a questionnaire consisting two parts: demographic characteristics and stressors. The data were analyzed by SPSS program (Pearson correlation coefficient and ANOVA).

  Results: The majority of students rated stressors as intermediate or high and the most important stressor were crisis during working (dangerous situations for mother and fetus) and exposure to blood and its products. There was positive correlation between interest to the career and rating stressors and there were significant relationship between mother’s occupation and father’s education with rating the stressors.

  Conclusion: Regarding the findings of this study it can be concluded that improving standards and increasing manager supports of staff may have a crucial influence on reducing stressors.