Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Human power is the back bone for the provision of quality health care for the
population. High level of professional satisfaction among health workers earns high dividends such as
higher worker force retention and patients satisfaction. There is limited amount of literature in the areas
related to factors affecting job satisfaction and retention. The objective of this study was to determine the
job satisfaction of health professionals working in Jimma University Specialized Hospital and factors
affecting their level of satisfaction.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the level and factors affecting job
satisfaction and retention of health professionals working in Jimma University Specialized Hospital. The
study was conducted from March to October 2009 and included all categories of health professionals
working in the hospital during the study period. Data was collected using self administered
questionnaire and focus group discussion. After the data was collected, it was entered into a computer
and analyzed using SPSS version16.0 windows statistical software. Chi-square tests were made to
evaluate association of different variables with job satisfaction, and P-value < 0.05, at 95% CI was taken
as cut off point for statistical significance.
RESULTS: A total of 145 health professionals have responded for the self administered questionnaire.
The result showed that sixty seven (46.2%) of the health workers are dissatisfied with their job. The
major reasons reported for their dissatisfaction were lack of motivation, inadequate salary, insufficient
training opportunities and inadequate number of human resources. Only sixty (41.4%) health
professionals were satisfied with their job, the major reasons given were getting satisfaction from
helping others and professional gratification. Suggestion given by the respondents to improve job
satisfaction and increase retention rate included motivation of staff through different incentives such us
bonus, house allowance, salary increment, establishing good administration management system and
improving hospital facilities and infrastructure.
CONCLUSION: Job satisfaction of health professionals in Jimma University Specialized Hospital was
found to be low. Responsible bodies should devise mechanisms to improve job satisfaction and retention
of health professional so as to improve the healthcare services of the hospital.
