Working Atmosphere and Job Satisfaction of Health Care Staff in Kenya: An Exploratory Study.
BACKGROUND
Job satisfaction and working atmosphere are important for optimal health care delivery. The study aimed to document working atmosphere and job satisfaction of health care professionals in Kenya and to explore associations between job satisfaction, staff characteristics, and working atmosphere.


METHODS
Data from the integrated quality management system (IQMS) for the health sector in Kenya were used. Job satisfaction was measured with 10 items and with additional 5 items adapted to job situation in Kenya. Working atmosphere was measured with 13 item questionnaire. A stepwise linear regression analysis was performed with overall job satisfaction and working atmosphere, aspects of job satisfaction, and individual characteristics.


RESULTS
Out of 832 questionnaires handed out, 435 questionnaires were completed (response rate: 52.3%). Health care staff indicated high commitment to provide quality services and low levels regarding the adequacy and functionality of equipment at their work station. The aspect "support of the ministry of health" (β = 0.577) showed the highest score of explained variance (32.9%) regarding overall job satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
IQMS which also evaluates job satisfaction and working atmosphere of health care staff provides a good opportunity for strengthening the recruitment and retention of health care staff as well as improving the provision of good quality of care.
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Heidelberg, Vossstrasse 2, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
Katja
K
Goetz
Evaplan at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, Ringstrasse 19b, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
Michael
M
Marx
Evaplan at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, Ringstrasse 19b, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
Irmgard
I
Marx
AQUA-Institute for Applied Quality Improvement and Research in Health Care, Maschmühlenweg 8-10, 37073 Goettingen, Germany.
Marc
M
Brodowski
Institute of Health Policy, Management and Research, NHIF Building, 2nd Floor Ragati Road, Upperhill, P.O. Box 307-00202, Nairobi, Kenya.
Maureen
M
Nafula
Evaplan at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, Ringstrasse 19b, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
Helen
H
Prytherch
Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), P.O. Box 41607, Nairobi 00100, Kenya.
Irene K E
IK
Omogi Awour
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Heidelberg, Vossstrasse 2, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany ; AQUA-Institute for Applied Quality Improvement and Research in Health Care, Maschmühlenweg 8-10, 37073 Goettingen, Germany.
Joachim
J
Szecsenyi
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015279:Organizational Culture; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*