title: Primary health care workers' views of motivating factors at individual, community and organizational levels: a qualitative study from Nasarawa and Ondo states, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current efforts to motivate primary health workers in Nigeria focus on better financial incentives, and the role of other motivating factors has received less attention. The aim of this study is to explore individual and organizational determinants, their interactions and effects on motivation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exploratory qualitative research, involving semi-structured interviews with 29 primary health workers (doctors, nurses, midwives and community health workers), was conducted in Nasarawa and Ondo states in Nigeria. Nine key informant interviews were conducted with government officials. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and coded. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify common themes, as well as unique narratives.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results from this study suggest that health workers are motivated by individual (vocation, religion, humanity and self-efficacy) and organizational (monetary incentives, good working environment) factors and community recognition. Supervision and leadership provided by the officer in charge as compared with that by external agencies appeared to have a positive effect on motivation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Policy makers and donor agencies should take into account a broader range of factors while designing strategies to motivate the health workforce. The study also underscores how officer in charges with enhanced skills are likely to motivate health workers by creating a more supportive environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.
authors.forename: Aarushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhatnagar
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.
authors.forename: Shivam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.
authors.forename: Olakunle
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Alonge
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.
authors.forename: Asha S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009549:Nigeria; D011320:Primary Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Nigeria; primary health worker; work motivation