Job satisfaction and intention to migrate among healthcare workers in a multi-specialist facility within Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Poor job satisfaction among healthcare professionals has been found to affect the quality of healthcare service delivery and is one of the major motivators for migration especially among those from LMICs. This study aimed to determine the job satisfaction and intention to migrate among healthcare workers in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). A descriptive cross-sectional study among 340 healthcare workers in LUTH was conducted using a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27 and MS Excel 97-2003 was used for data entry and analysis. The association between independent and dependent variables was depicted using Chi-square test, while the level of significance was set at 5% (p≤0.05). This study revealed that less than half (43.5%) of respondents were aged 21-30, most (68.5%) were female, and around half (49.4%) were single. 26.2% were somewhat satisfied with their job, 25.0% were dissatisfied with the physical working environment, and 25.6% with their salary. 39.4% had moderate satisfaction, 38.8% were dissatisfied, and 21.8% were satisfied. 92% had considered migration, with 77.6% planning to leave, primarily within 6 months. There was a statistically significant association between the respondents' years of practice and their intention to migrate (p=0.015). Overall, only 21.8% of respondents were satisfied with their jobs using the OJSC score, with nearly all respondents intending to migrate. Implementing competitive salary packages may improve satisfaction and reduce migration plans among healthcare workers.