Influence of Monetary Incentives Being Applied By Different Institutions on Retention of Health Workers in Mbagathi District Hospital

The shortages of health workers constitute a significant barrier to achieving health related millennium development goals and expanding health intervention in developing countries. A key constraint to achieving millennium development goals is the absence of properly trained and motivated workforce. Health worker loss can compromise health system capacity to deliver adequate care as the more experienced workers migrate because their skills are highly desired. Staff shortages increase workloads and stress levels, further de-motivating remaining staff. The study aimed to analyze to determine influence of monetary incentives being applied by different institutions on retention of health workers in public health hospitals in Kenya. The population under study comprised of a sample of 196 health workers drawn using fisher’s formula. Each respondent was expected to fill and submit a structured questionnaire given to them by the researcher. The researcher used statistical data analysis program (SPSS) to carry out data analysis to describe the relationship between the dependent variable (monetary incentives applied by different institution for health workers retention). The findings revealed that paid leave contributed to job satisfaction in work, χ2 = 2.725, p = 0.025. Health workers can be motivated more by the institution by ensuring leave days are respected and easily accessible. It was also established that house to office allowances were associated with job satisfaction to work, χ2 = 5.630, p = 0.05. House to office allowance, referred to as transport allowance was very important to health workers. The result of this study can be useful for the managers of the health institutions and the ministry concerned.