Predictors of sickness absence and job satisfaction among staff of a coastal hospital in Calabar, Nigeria.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sickness absence can predict job satisfaction in many systems;whereas job satisfaction drives active participation in decision-making processes and is a bed-rock for effective patient care among healthcare workers.
AIM:The objectives of this study were to determine the predictors of sickness absence and job satisfaction and their relationship among staff of a hospital in Calabar,Nigeria.
METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional analytic hospital-based study involving 324 healthcare workers of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.The study used a semi-structured pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire, developed and standardized by the researchers. Data generated was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for windows version 18, descriptive and regression statistics, with the p-value set at 0.05.
RESULT: Thirty-five (10.8%) of the respondents were physicians, 42(13.0%) nurses, while non-clinician health workers constituted 55.9%.Their average age was 37.05±8.84 years with a slight preponderance of female over male (1.4:1). There were statistically significant associations between duration of sickness absence and job satisfaction (p=0.002). Following logistic regression, occupation was found as an independent predictor of job satisfaction. Participants who were non-clinician health workers, {Odds Ratio3.3;95% Confidence interval 1.505- 7.261} were significantly more likely to have job satisfaction compared with the clinicians.
CONCLUSION: The study found a high level of dis-satisfaction with the job using specific parameters in the work setting for assessment.The institution of a safety unit in the Hospital,adjustment of work schedules together with the supply of ergonomic-oriented work equipment to check discomfort at work are recommended.