Nearly six out of every 10 health workers in the Greater Accra Region are considering leaving their jobs, according to a new study that highlights growing concerns about workforce retention in Ghana’s healthcare sector.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and partner institutions, found that 59.8% of health workers surveyed reported intentions to quit their current positions.
Published in the journal Heliyon, the research examined the factors driving turnover intentions among healthcare professionals across 10 public and private hospitals in the region.
Overtime and Understaffing Driving Workers Away
The study was led by Dr Phillip Apraku Tawiah of KNUST’s School of Public Health and involved 495 health workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives, laboratory professionals, physiotherapists and support staff.
Researchers found that employees who regularly worked overtime, worked more than five days a week or perceived their departments as understaffed were significantly more likely to consider leaving their jobs.
Health workers who believed their departments were understaffed were 40% more likely to report plans to leave, while those who frequently worked overtime were 26% more likely to express similar intentions.
The findings suggest that excessive workloads continue to place significant pressure on healthcare professionals, contributing to stress, burnout and job dissatisfaction.
Workplace Violence Remains a Concern
The study also identified workplace violence as a major factor influencing workers’ decisions to leave.
Health workers who had experienced physical assault on the job were 21% more likely to consider quitting than those who had not faced such incidents.
The researchers noted that unsafe working environments can worsen stress levels and reduce morale, making it harder for health facilities to retain skilled staff.
Support Staff Most Likely to Leave
Among all professional categories surveyed, support staff recorded the highest likelihood of intending to leave their jobs.
The researchers said this finding highlights the need for healthcare managers to pay attention not only to clinical personnel but also to the broader workforce that supports healthcare delivery.
Adequate Sleep Linked to Better Retention
One of the study’s notable findings was the role of rest in reducing turnover intentions.
Health workers who reported sleeping at least eight hours a day were less likely to consider leaving their jobs.
According to the researchers, adequate rest may help reduce stress and improve overall job satisfaction, making employees more likely to remain in their roles.
Call for Urgent Intervention
Although the turnover intention rate was lower than figures reported in some earlier studies in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa, the researchers warned that the findings remain concerning.
“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 study stated.
The researchers urged policymakers and healthcare administrators to address staffing shortages, excessive workloads and workplace safety challenges to improve staff retention.
They recommended measures such as increasing staffing levels, improving work schedules, strengthening security at health facilities and expanding staff wellness programmes.
The study concluded that addressing these challenges is essential to maintaining a stable healthcare workforce and ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services across Ghana.
