A systematic review and meta-analysis of job motivation and associated factors among health workers in Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Low job motivation among healthcare workers is a significant issue in the healthcare system, particularly in low-income countries such as Ethiopia, where health professionals face low remuneration, inadequate benefits, and poor working conditions. Shortage of motivated health workers has a significantly negative impact on the quality of healthcare services. In Ethiopia, there is no representative or summarized data on the level of motivation among health workers. We synthesized the pooled level of job motivation and its determinants among Ethiopian health workers.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using an electronic web-based search strategy to identify studies. The search was conducted in databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and the Ethiopian University repository online. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. I-squared statistics (I²) were used to determine heterogeneity between the primary studies. The funnel plot and Egger's test were used to assess publication bias. The random-effects Der Simonian-Laird method was used to estimate the pooled level of job motivation and pooled odds ratio of associated factors, and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: This systematic review and meta-analysis included 11 articles, involving 3974 health workers in the analysis. The pooled proportion of health workers with good motivation was 44% (95% CI 37, 51%). Availability of resource [OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.47, 6.11], training opportunities [AOR 2.57; 95% CI 1.51, 4.37], and job satisfaction [AOR 3.67, 95% CI 1.97, 6.81] were factors associated with job motivation among health workers.

Conclusion: Less than half of the health workers in Ethiopia are motivated. As the provision of compassionate and high-quality care requires highly motivated health workers, health institutions should strive to create a nurturing and conducive environment. On a national level, the Ministry of Health should recognize the problem and develop a comprehensive, integrated approach to manage the health workforce. Study protocol registration: CRD420251061167.