In collaboration with Uganda’s Ministry of Health (MOH), Aga Khan University, Makerere University and the University of Washington, the Capacity Project completed a nationally representative study intended to measure health worker satisfaction, motivation and intent to stay in the health field and serve the country of Uganda. The results of the “Uganda Health Workforce Retention Study: Satisfaction and Intent to Stay Among Current Health Workers” are being incorporated into Uganda’s Human Resources for Health Strategic Plan.

Over 700 health workers, based at 18 facilities in nine districts, were surveyed to help determine job satisfaction and to identify strategies to increase their likelihood of staying in their current positions. Interviews were also conducted with health workers who have left their positions, to help identify reasons for leaving and strategies that could have encouraged them to stay. The data collection included over 50 focus groups with health care providers.

The study found that most health workers planned to stay in their jobs indefinitely (54%), and another 20% would stay at least three years. However, the rest were eager to leave their jobs soon. Among this group, 11% would leave Uganda and 4% would leave the health sector. Doctors are the cadre of health workers most likely to say they are eager to leave their jobs within two years (57%). They are also the most at risk for leaving Uganda or the health sector entirely.

The study also revealed significant problems with working conditions in all health facilities. Only 36% of respondents thought their workload was manageable. Access to equipment, supplies, drugs, electricity and water are compromised. Twenty-four percent of respondents – most of them women, and most nurses – reported they had been abused physically, verbally or emotionally by a supervisor at their current jobs.

The findings for this study were widely disseminated to Uganda’s most influential human resources groups, including the Human Resources Working Group, Human Resources for Health Strategic Planning Consultative Workshop and the Director of Planning and Development (MOH). The report was also disseminated at the National Health Assembly and the Joint Review Mission, which includes all donors as well as the MOH and other health sector leaders.

The Capacity Project took part in the Human Resources Working Group at the Joint Review Mission and helped to make recommendations for priority issues to address in 2007.

December 2006