Psychosocial Risks Among Female Military Personal in Burkina Faso

Author(s): Goumbri P, Nanema D, Bague B, Ilboudo Z, Ganou L and Ouedraogo A

The presence of female personnel in the army of Burkina Faso is a recent phenomenon. The first military women have joined the army from 2007 onwards. This integration into this previously male environment exposes women to specific psychological difficulties. The objective of this survey was to study the psychosocial risks (PSR) incurred by female military personnel of the army in Burkina Faso, and to identify the factors associated with these risks. It was a descriptive cross-sectional and once-through analytical study that ran from March 8, 2016 to May 9, 2016. During the study period, 195 female military members from all departments and services of the National armed forces, mostly young, were investigated. The main factors associated with psychosocial risks were seniority in the profession, rank, service constraints, lack of independence, and interpersonal relationships. PSR (Psycho-Social Risks) have deleterious effects on the psychological health, motivation and job performance of female staff. At the end of our study, it seems necessary to set up a program to fight against the PSR incurred by this female staff in the National Army of Burkina Faso.