Analysis of attraction and retention strategies of experienced health personnel by Gweru Municipality of Zimbabwe

Abstract

Purpose This study examined the extent to which Gweru Municipality (GM) is managing to attract and retain properly qualified health professionals. Design This research is predominantly quantitative. Methodology This research focused on eleven health centres in eleven randomly selected suburbs in GM. After permission was granted by the GM management, questionnaires were distributed to GM human resources staff responsible for the Health Department and health practitioners. A total of 194 questionnaires were returned. The findings of this study have been presented in tables and figures. Correlation coefficient analysis was also done to help establish variables that greatly influence the attraction and retention trends of health professionals at GM. Result It emerged that GM is failing to attract as well as to retain properly qualified health professionals hence the very low numbers of senior doctors, senior nurses and specialists of diverse areas. The factors that influence attraction and retention are of the correlation coefficients ranges of 0.5 to 0.959. This study established that five variables feature most in the linear relationship between random variables considered for this study. The results identify question 10 'how well paid are you for the work you do?' having been mentioned 14 times with questions 6 'how many opportunities do you have to get promoted where you work?, question 8 'are you proud of GM's attraction of qualified health professionals?' and question 9 'how meaningful is your work?' being mentioned 13 times each while question 7 'how easy is it to balance your work life and personal life while working at GM?' was mentioned 12 times. Conclusion This study concludes that attracting and retaining properly qualified and experienced health professionals is key for attainment of enhanced service delivery. Therefore, GM management need be proactive and improve on all identified militating variables.