Job Satisfaction and Associated Factors among Health Professionals Working in West Hararge Zone Public Hospitals, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Health professional job satisfaction determines the effectiveness and efficiency of human resource for health to the large extent. Job satisfaction is said to be linked with different factors; including socio-demographic factors, Compensation, working environment, job recognition, Development opportunities and Relationship between employees and management. Previously very few studies have been conducted on job satisfaction in Ethiopia, So, this study was attempted to address those gaps in the literature by focusing on all categories of health professionals and hospitals which are found in rural and district setting. Objective: To assess job satisfaction of health Professionals working in West Hararge Public hospitals and factors associated with their level of satisfaction in the year 2013. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted by using Self-administered structured questionnaire. Variables for socio demographic characteristics and factors related to job satisfaction were included in this study. All 182 health professionals who were in their duty during data collection were responded to this survey. Data was analyzed by using, Statistical package for social science version 16 computer software. Median value from sum score were taken to determine level of Job satisfaction values less than median values. 49]. the association between predictors and the outcome were measured by using multiple logistic regression at 0.05 significance level and 95% confidence interval. Ethical clearance was obtained from Ethical Committee of Jimma University, College of Public Health and Medical sciences. Result: Health professionals working in West Hararge public hospitals were mostly not satisfied with their job, only 36.8 were satisfied. There is no significant association between sociodemographic characteristics and job satisfactions. Among job related factors compensation and benefit AOR=3.96 (95% CI: 1.99, 10.49), recognition AOR=9.13 (95% CI: 3.28, 25.45), and working environment AOR=5.20 (95% CI: 1.46, 18, 57) were shows significant association with job satisfaction. Development opportunity and relationship with management were not significantly associated with job satisfaction. Conclusion: Nearly two thirds of health professionals working in west Hararge zone public hospitals were not satisfied with their job and job related factors. Compensation, benefit, recognition and poor work environment are the main factors that were found to influence job satisfaction. Managers of these hospitals and Oromia regional Health Bureau should reinforce appropriate strategies related to health professionals which improve their compensation, working environment and on implementation of performance based recognition and awarding system.