Factors Perceived to be Associated with Health Workers Retention in Public Hospitals: A Case of Ndola Teaching Hospital in Ndola District

Sylvia Tembo and Beatrice Matafwali
Additional contact information
Sylvia Tembo: Graduate School of Business: University of Zambia
Beatrice Matafwali: Graduate School of Business: University of Zambia

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 5, 512-527

Abstract: This study explored factors influencing health worker retention at Ndola General Hospital amid a global health workforce shortage. The study involved 154 health workers selected from a target population of 200 through stratified random sampling. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected via open- and closed-ended questionnaires and supplemented with secondary sources. Analysis was conducted using SPSS to report descriptive statistics using the Likert scale. Findings revealed a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators influencing retention. While recognition (66.23%, mean score: 3.400), career growth (68%, mean: 3.234), and supervisory support (mean: 3.519) were rated positively, dissatisfaction with compensation was widespread 59.74% of respondents were unhappy with salaries (mean: 1.909) and pay parity with qualifications (mean: 1.727). Fringe benefits and allowances also scored poorly (mean: 2.610). Furthermore, 38.96% strongly disagreed that adequate equipment and facilities were available (mean: 2.312), and 89.61% viewed the hospital infrastructure as outdated. Despite this, 83.12% acknowledged the availability of skilled colleagues for complex tasks. Social influences were a key factor in attrition, with 52.3% citing peer pressure to join better-paying private and NGO sectors, and 12% noting intergenerational workplace conflicts. Although intrinsic motivators like recognition and professional growth are present, they are overshadowed by systemic issues related to compensation, infrastructure, and external job markets. The study recommends targeted interventions to address these challenges and calls for broader, more inclusive future research to validate these findings

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ ... -issue-5/512-527.pdf (application/pdf)
https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/arti ... l-in-ndola-district/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-5:p:512-527

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science is currently edited by Dr. Nidhi Malhan

More articles in International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science from International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Dr. Pawan Verma ().