title: Rural posting experience, requests for transfer, and perspectives about critical factors for staff retention among primary health care workers in urban Kano, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inadequate skilled manpower at rural posts is a serious impediment toward equitable and universal access to healthcare in Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the experiences of primary health care (PHC) workers on rural assignments, requests for transfer, and perspectives about critical factors for retention of healthcare workers at rural posts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using descriptive cross-sectional design, 262 PHC workers in Kano were studied. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed on Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22. Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to test for significant association between categorical variables. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the workers was 36.0 ± 9 years. Majority were females (55.4%) and married (64.2%) with mean working experience of 13.0 ± 8.0 years. Only 29 (11.2%) had rural posting experience. Mean duration of posting was 4.0 ± 2.0 years; 19 (65.5%) sought re-deployment for lack of social amenities and good schools for children 19 (100.0%) and poor work environment 17 (89.5%). Common positive rural experiences mentioned were less work pressure 26 (89.7%), cordial relationship with colleagues and community members 24 (82.8%), and willingness of the community to partake in health activities 24 (82.8%). Common negative experiences reported include lack of social amenities 27 (93.1), lack of equipment and supplies in facilities 26 (89.7%), and stagnation 22 (75.9%). The workers' perspectives about critical factors for retention at rural posts include good facility infrastructure and functional equipment 240 (92.3%), good housing 237 (91.2%), potable water and electricity supply 238 (91.5%), good schools for staff's children 38 (91.5%), and good access of road to town 239 (91.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While steering gear at upgrading basic infrastructures in rural areas, government should in the interim, ensure attractive working and living conditions at rural posts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Bayero University and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: U M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Lawan
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Bayero University and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Amole
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Khayi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D011320:Primary Health Care; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult