INFLUENCE OF DIMENSIONS OF ADVERSE WORKPLACE CONDITIONS ON MEDICAL WORKER RETENTION: EVIDENCE FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS IN KANO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This article will analyze the impact of substandard working conditions on worker retention among healthcare professionals at government hospitals in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. The issue of elevated turnover and attrition of medical personnel persists. Nonetheless, several initiatives aim to enhance the healthcare staff, which is linked to inadequate working conditions, meager compensation, limited career progression, and substandard facilities.  The population of 1327 medical personnel in ten government hospitals was surveyed using a descriptive cross-sectional method. A proportional stratified sampling method was implemented to distribute 393 structured questionnaires in accordance with confirmed instruments. Of these, 315 were effectively surveyed and examined. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, correlation analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to investigate the relationships between workplace condition dimensions and retention outcomes. The results indicate that worker retention is significantly influenced by the lengthy working hours, inadequate infrastructure, and limited opportunities for career development. However, physical working conditions do not have a large impact on worker retention in this scenario. The empirical findings of this research provide an understanding of the organizational factors that influence the retention of healthcare personnel in government hospitals in Kano Metropolis. It offers effective recommendations, such as performance-based incentives, mentorship programs, burden sharing plans, and continuous learning plans, to facilitate retention plans. The lessons can be used to guide policymakers and hospital administrators in the development of evidence-based interventions that will stabilize and empower the public healthcare workforce.