Factors influencing retention of health professionals in Garissa county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing retention of health professionals in Garissa District. The study was guided by four objectives which were concerned with the factors influencing attraction, motivation and retention of health professionals in Garissa County; factors investigated included security factors, economic factors as well as political factors. The study employed is surveyed research design and data was collected by use of questionnaire and focus group discussion (FGD). Garissa level five hospital was purposely selected due to the mix and number of health professional and departments. The researcher adopted 10% of total population which was targeted by the study. The population consisted of 390 health professionals working within Garissa District and sample size was 39 respondents. Data was analyzed using SPSS and was presented using table, percentages and figures. From the study, majority are exposed to attacks, inadequate lighting in the area of residence and work, lack of enough security personnel influence retention of health workers in the county. The economic factors influencing retention of health workers included the current civil servants benefits, hardship allowance, housing, leave and remission of beneficial deductions like insurance premiums, NHIF and health professional fees to health associations in time in the devolution arrangement. Political factors influencing retention of health workers include political interference in discharging duties both in national and county levels and segregation by virtue of ethnicity. The study concluded that retention of health professionals is influenced by demographic factors, security factors, economic factors and political factors. If retention is to be addressed the study recommends the improvement of security, motivation of health workers and consideration into allowing health professionals to carry out their duties independently without political interference.