Moral Distress and Its Institutional Factors among Nurses in the Inpatient Department at a University Teaching Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda

Abstract

Background
Moral distress has been shown to compromise nurses’ ability to deliver high-quality patient care, and may lead to job turnover. However, few studies have been conducted on moral distress and its institutional factors for the nurses in Rwandan. Therefore, this research aimed to assess the moral distress level and its institutional factors among nurses working in selected departments at a teaching hospital in Rwanda.
Methods
One hundred and sixty-seven nurses were included in the cross-sectional quantitative study using the revised Moral Distress Scale. A proportional random sampling was used. The data were analysed using SPSS version 21. The relationship between factors was assessed by the Chi-square test.
Results
The moral distress level of the research participants was moderate. The maximum moral distress score was 303, the minimum 73; the standard deviation 43.12 and the mean was 152.
Conclusion
The shortage of nursing staff and lack of institutional support contribute markedly to higher levels of moral distress. Addressing these shortfalls should foster nurses’ satisfaction and, subsequently, quality care of the patients.
Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2026;9(1):116-126