Determinants of Job Satisfaction among Community Health Workers in the Volta Region of Ghana

Abstract

Job satisfaction of community health workers is an important component of strategies aimed at retaining them at primary health care centres. This is a cross-sectional study conducted to examine the determinants of job satisfaction of community health workers in the Volta Region of Ghana. A factor analysis was performed on the short version of the twenty itemised Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) which resulted in five dimensions, namely; inter-personal relationship, working condition, supervision, recognition, pay and benefits. A single item question measuring overall job satisfaction was included in addition to demographic characteristics of respondents. Subsequent statistical analysis using Mann-Whitney U test to assess gender differences in level of job satisfaction was not significant. Whilst the result from ANOVA employed to determine the effect of age and years at service post grouped into three categories also yielded no significant effect. A further hierarchical regression analysis controlling for age, years at service post and salary resulted in working condition as the most important predictor of job satisfaction. This was followed by recognition and interpersonal relationship. In view of the complexities associated with job satisfaction and its multiple perspectives, the study calls for a holistic strategic approach to improve upon all the determinants considered.

Keywords: Job Satisfaction, Community Health Workers