JOB SATISFACTION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG URBAN AND RURAL HEALTH EXTENSION WORKERS IN NORTH GONDAR ADMINISTRATIVE ZONE, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Introduction: Employee satisfaction is important in determining how far an organization achieves its goals. Health extension program is one of the most innovative community based health programs in Ethiopia. Despite promising start there are lots of challenges such as lack of attention on the details of work condition and high attrition rate of health extension workers. Objective: This research aimed at determining the level of job satisfaction and associated factors among rural and urban health extension workers in North Gondar Administrative Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross sectional study supplemented with in depth interview was carried out from February to April 2014. A total of 416 health extension workers were using simple random technique selected to be included in the study. Data were collected during review meetings by using self administered questionnaire and in-depth interview check lists. Bi-variate and multivariable analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with job satisfaction. Results: Four hundred sixteen respondents enrolled in the study, from these 370 (88.9%) were rural and 46(11.1%) were urban health extension workers. Nearly half (56.2%) of rural and 17.4% of urban health extension workers were found to be satisfied with their job. Frequent supervision [AOR: 9.24(95%CI; 4.73, 18.0)], in-service training [AOR: 4.17(95%CI; 2.16, 8.04)], working out of parents kebele [AOR: 2.39 (95%CI; 1.31, 4.34), transfer [AOR: 2.28(95%CI; 1.35, 3.89)], year of experience [AOR: 0.13 (95%CI; 0.06, 0.27)], being urban [AOR: 0.32 (95%CI; 0.11, 0.94)] were associated factors that predict job satisfaction. Conclusions This study demonstrated that over all half of health extension workers were found to be satisfied with their job. Rural health extension workers were more satisfied than the urban counter parts. Training, supervision, transfer, parent residence, year of experience, age and urban-rural had significant association with job satisfaction. It is necessary to design sustainable in-service training and supportive supervision programs for urban groups and considering special carrier opportunities to experienced health extension workers.