Challenges and strategies for retaining Africa’s radiography workforce in the continent amidst a competitive global market: Insights from 17 countries

IF 2.5 Q2 RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING

Radiography Pub Date : 2025-06-07 DOI:10.1016/j.radi.2025.103001

B. Ohene-Botwe , W.K. Antwi , C. Amedu , T.N. Akudjedu , L.-S. Mudadi , B. Chinene , S.N. Adjeley Quaye , M.Y. Dambele , S.S. Mkoloma , C. Barare , M.J. Kumsa , J. Sichone , R. Saizi , S. Mdletshe , J.Z. Dlama , C. Malamateniou , R. Ahmad

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

African countries face a critical challenge as radiography professionals and other healthcare workers migrate to high-income countries with better-resourced health systems. This study sought to identify the factors influencing the migration of qualified radiography professionals and evaluate the challenges and strategies for retaining the radiography workforce across the continent.

Methods

This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire. The link to the questionnaire was widely advertised through professional body platforms, as well as the professional and social media pages of radiography professionals across Africa. Descriptive, inferential statistics and exploratory factor analysis using principal component analysis were used to examine the data.

Results

A total of 755 radiography professionals from 17 African countries participated. Poor salary was the most commonly cited push factor for migration, reported by 80.00 % of participants. In the exploratory factor analysis, five factors were identified, explaining 55.57 % of the variation in the data on push factors for migration among radiography professionals. These factors include the health system, economic concerns, professional challenges, political issues, and social conditions. Better salaries (86.49 %) and improved living conditions (86.35 %) were the most common pull factors. Additionally, 92.00 % of participants identified improving radiography professionals' salaries as the most effective strategy for reducing migration.

Conclusion

Low salaries, inadequate working conditions, and the pursuit of better opportunities abroad are key contributors to the migration of radiography professionals from Africa. To address this issue, African healthcare systems must prioritise improving remuneration, enhancing working conditions, investing in health infrastructure, and implementing targeted policies focused on professional development and career growth.

Implication for practice

Retaining radiography professionals in Africa requires a multifaceted approach to strengthen the workforce and improve healthcare systems.

查看原文本刊更多论文

在竞争激烈的全球市场中保留非洲放射学劳动力的挑战和战略：来自17个国家的见解

随着放射专业人员和其他卫生保健工作者向卫生系统资源较好的高收入国家迁移，非洲国家面临着严峻的挑战。本研究旨在确定影响合格放射专业人员迁移的因素，并评估在整个非洲大陆保留放射专业人员的挑战和策略。方法采用在线问卷进行定量横断面研究。调查问卷的链接通过专业机构平台以及整个非洲的放射专业人员的专业和社交媒体页面广泛宣传。采用描述性统计、推断性统计和主成分分析的探索性因子分析对数据进行检验。结果共有来自17个非洲国家的755名放射专业人员参与。80%的受访者表示，低工资是最常见的移民推动因素。在探索性因素分析中，确定了五个因素，解释了55.57%的放射专业人员迁移推动因素数据变化。这些因素包括卫生系统、经济问题、专业挑战、政治问题和社会条件。提高工资（86.49%）和改善生活条件（86.35%）是最常见的拉动因素。此外，92.00%的参与者认为提高放射专业人员的工资是减少迁移的最有效策略。结论低工资、恶劣的工作条件以及对国外更好机会的追求是导致非洲放射专业人员移民的主要原因。为了解决这个问题，非洲的卫生保健系统必须优先考虑改善薪酬、改善工作条件、投资于卫生基础设施，以及实施以专业发展和职业成长为重点的有针对性的政策。对实践的影响在非洲保留放射专业人员需要采取多方面的方法来加强劳动力和改善医疗保健系统。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Radiography RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING-

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

34.60%

发文量

169

审稿时长

63 days

期刊介绍： Radiography is an International, English language, peer-reviewed journal of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy. Radiography is the official professional journal of the College of Radiographers and is published quarterly. Radiography aims to publish the highest quality material, both clinical and scientific, on all aspects of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy and oncology.