CHARACTERIZATION OF JOB SATISFACTION AMONG PUBLIC PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

There have been several studies on job satisfaction among different groups of workers in different fields but very few of such studies have been carried out specifically among Public Primary Health Care workers in southeastern Nigeria. This paper aims to assess the job satisfaction of Public Primary Health Care Workers in Nnewi North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. The methodology is a descriptive, cross-sectional study design conducted by a self-administered questionnaire to 150 participants. The questionnaire used is adapted from The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form to assess job satisfaction. Results are one hundred and forty-five out of the 150 workers eligible for the study filled and returned their questionnaires. About 50.4% of workers were above 40 years of age, and 62.1% were married. There were more females (73%) than males (26%). Almost all workers were Christians as well as were of Igbo origin in the tribe. The highest-rated domain of job satisfaction was with the way they felt about their job (91.0%).Factors that influenced the workers’ level of job satisfaction were age (p=0.000), marital status (p = 0.001), tribe (p = 0.040), educational qualification (p = 0.004) and ranks/ cadre. Of the 18 domains of job satisfaction, workers were dissatisfied with salary, other benefits, skills utilization, motivation, career development and rate of promotion at work. There was no difference between the overall level of satisfaction using the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form and the perception rating of respondents, thus, about 64.1 % of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs while 35.9 % of workers were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. In conclusion, Public Primary Healthcare Workers in Southeastern Nigeria are satisfied with their jobs. It is recommended improvement on those factors workers were dissatisfied with will increase job satisfaction generally.