Staff turnover of health professionals in the Bophirima health district

Abstract

The mam aim of the study was to determine the main causes of staff turnover in the Bophirima Health District especially the professional staff The study focused on professionals who served for periods not longer than two years in the Bophirima Health Institutions. These category of professionals are difficult to recruit and those already in these posts are difficult to retain. The research method used is qualitative in nature. The target population consisted of professional nurses, medical officers and health therapists who work or . had in the past worked in the Bophirima Health District. The purposive non-probability sampling approach had been used in the study. The researcher used semi-structured questionnaires to conduct interviews for those candidates that could be traced and reached. The questionnaire allowed for some questions to be omitted or added given the specific situation. The interviews also allowed the researcher to probe deeper following the responses of the interviewees and thereby gain valuable information. Results from the questionnaires surveys had been analysed using tables and graphs. The study identified the following factors as some of the major causes of staff turnover in the Bophirima Health District: shortage of accommodation for staff, shortage of essential medical equipment, shortage of staff and high vacancy rate that causes high workload on the remaining available staff Biased management style and unfair implementation of departmental policies are also contributing to staff leaving the institutions. Some employees leave for better paying jobs and better opportunities elsewhere like in urban areas, private sector and overseas. Institutional management and provincial administration must collectively improve the above factors to reduce the staff turnover.

Bophirima Health District is a rural area and most villages are not well developed. There are shortages of facilities like schooling, entertainments, banking and shopping complexes. The local municipalities and other stakeholders must be encouraged to improve these facilities. The study further indicated the effects and how to combat staff turnover. Managers must continuously measure and monitor staff turnover in their institutions so as to reduce the negative impact in advance.