TIME MANAGEMENT PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS OF DESSIE CITY, NORTHEAST ETHIOPIA, 2021.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Poor time management practice is still the neglected problem in every organization including health system particularly in low and middle income countries including Ethiopia. However; this can be alleviated if there are punctual, committed and accessible health professionals that could translate the national aspirations and the desire of the community into a reality. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine time management practice and associated factors among health professionals working in public and private hospitals of Dessie city, northeast Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: Institution based comparative cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from March 24 –April 24 among 660 health professionals using stratified sampling technique. Three separate logistic regression models; public, private and both hospitals have been fitted. Variables with p-value of a <0.2 at bivariable analysis were included in the multivariable analysis and variables with p-value of a <0.05 in multivariable analysis were regarded as significantly associated factors. Results: The overall good time management practice in public and private hospitals from a total of 615 responded participants having a response rate of 93.2 % was 57.1%(95%CI:53.0-60.8%),showed significant variation between public [50.1%(95%CI:45.5-54.7%)] and private hospitals [70.9% (95%CI: 63.5-76.7%)]. Working in private hospitals (AOR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.19-3.30) was significantly associated variable in the overall study. Living with families (AOR:5.39, 95%CI:1.84-15.77), satisfaction with compensation and benefit (AOR:7.83, 95% CI:1.97-31.16),satisfaction with work autonomy (AOR: 7.10, 95%CI: 1.94-25.95) and having good plan (AOR:3.42, 95%CI:1.15-10.13) in private hospitals; and satisfaction with organizational policy and strategy (AOR: 2.34, 95%CI: (1.254.36),

performance appraisal (AOR:1.95, 95%CI:1.13-3.36) and work autonomy (AOR: 1.92, 95%CI: 1.12-3.27) as well as employees’ good attitude towards time (AOR: 2.12, 95%CI: 1.26-3.58) in public hospitals were significantly associated with time management practice. Conclusion: The overall good time management practice of public and private hospitals in Dessie city was low and it was higher in private hospitals as compared to public hospitals. Working in private hospitals was significantly associated with time management practice in the overall study. Satisfaction with organizational policy and strategy, work autonomy and performance appraisal as well as employees’ good attitude towards time in public hospitals; living with families, having good plan, satisfaction with compensation and benefits and work autonomy in private hospitals were significantly associated with time management practice. This study showed public-private hospitals time management practice variation, indicating the need of target areas for intervention. Strengthening strategies aimed at maximizing job satisfaction, emphasizing on attitude towards time will have substantial contribution. Key words: Time management practice, Health professionals, public and private hospitals of Dessie, Ethiopia.