A new study by researchers from the School of Public Health at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and partner institutions has revealed that nearly six out of every 10 health workers in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region are considering leaving their jobs, raising concerns about the long-term stability of the country’s healthcare workforce.
The study, published in the academic journal Heliyon, found that 59.8 percent of health workers surveyed across 10 public and private hospitals in the region expressed intentions to leave their current positions.
The research team, led by Dr. Phillip Apraku Tawiah, surveyed 495 health workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives, laboratory professionals, physiotherapists and support staff, to identify the factors influencing turnover intentions within the health sector.
According to the findings, health workers who regularly worked overtime, worked more than five days a week, perceived staffing shortages in their departments or had experienced physical assault in the workplace were significantly more likely to consider leaving their jobs.
The study found that support staff recorded the highest likelihood of intending to leave their positions compared to other categories of health workers.
Researchers reported that workers who perceived their departments as understaffed were 40 percent more likely to express intentions to quit, while those who worked overtime were 26 percent more likely to consider leaving. Exposure to physical assault at work increased the likelihood of turnover intentions by 21 percent.
Conversely, the study identified adequate sleep as a protective factor. Health workers who reported sleeping at least eight hours per day were less likely to indicate plans to leave their jobs, suggesting that sufficient rest may help reduce workforce attrition.
Although the turnover intention rate was lower than figures reported in some earlier studies conducted in Ghana and other African countries, the researchers cautioned that the proportion remains high and could adversely affect healthcare delivery if not addressed.
“Supporting staff category, worked for more than five days in a typical week, worked overtime, perceived understaff and exposure to physical assault were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of turnover intention,” the authors stated.
The researchers noted that excessive workloads, staffing shortages and workplace violence contribute to stress, burnout and job dissatisfaction among health professionals, increasing the likelihood that they will seek employment elsewhere.
To improve staff retention and strengthen the healthcare system, the study recommends that policymakers and health administrators take steps to address overtime work, workforce shortages and workplace safety concerns.
Suggested interventions include increasing staffing levels, improving work schedules, strengthening security measures within healthcare facilities and introducing staff wellness programmes.
According to the researchers, implementing these measures could help reduce turnover intentions, improve employee well-being and ensure the continued delivery of quality healthcare services across the country.
