Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction of Community Health Nurses (CHN) in Three Municipalities in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: As the first line of defense against diseases in underdeveloped and isolated areas, Community Health Nurse’ (CHN) perform a critical role. They relieve pressure on the healthcare system by offering illness treatment and surveillance in remote areas. A lack of job satisfaction is a major contributor to the high turnover rate of healthcare workers. There is currently little research on the factors that motivate and stress CHNs and how these factors affect job satisfaction. This study investigates the correlation between job satisfaction and related factors among Community Health Nurses in three administrative municipalities (Lower Manya Krobo, Yilo Krobo, and Asuogyaman) within Ghana's Eastern Region. Methodology: The study was conducted using a cross-sectional study design among Community Health Nurses. A standardised, closed-ended questionnaire with pre-determined ratings for motivation, stress, and job satisfaction was used to collect data over a four-week period. Data analysis was done using STATA 17. Summary tables were produced using descriptive statistics, while work satisfaction components were found using inferential techniques such as bivariate analysis and logistic regression. A 95% confidence interval and a p-value of 0.05 were used to evaluate statistical significance. Results: This study involved 135 participants, with the majority being female (90.4%). Among the participants, a significant portion reported moderate stress levels (71.85%), moderate motivation (47.41%), and were categorized as satisfied (57.04%) with their jobs. Analysis revealed that gender, motivation and stress were significant factors of job satisfaction. Male Community Health Nurses were projected to have a job satisfaction rate that is 19 times higher than that of female Community Health Nurses [AOR= 19.08, 95% CI: 1.87 - 194.47, p=0.013]. Additionally, Resylts revealed that Community Health Nurses with moderate and high motivation were more likely to report feeling satisfied with their jobs. While controlling for other factors, those with moderate motivation were nearly four times more likely to be satisfied [AOR= 3.82, 95% CI: 1.20 - 12.29, p=0.024] and those with high motivation were 17 times more likely to be satisfied [AOR=17.31, 95% CI: 4.33 - 69.15, p<0.0001]. Conversely, Community Nurses with high levels of stress had a 96% lower chance of being satisfied with their jobs than those with low levels of stress [AOR =0.04, 95% CI: 0.003- 0.37, p=0.005]. Conclusion: Fewer community health nurses reported high levels of stress than the majority who reported moderate stress. Some showed great motivation, whereas the majority showed moderate drive. More than half of the nurses expressed satisfaction with their jobs. Compared to female nurses, male nurses reported greater job satisfaction. While community nurses with university education reported lower job satisfaction, those with moderate to high motivation tended to report higher job satisfaction.