Abstract
Introduction
Motivation in work settings is defined as the willingness to exert and maintain effort toward organizational goals. Midwifery and nursing professions are among the most stressful of all the healthcare practices in the global healthcare system. The tools used to measure the organizational factors of the academic motivation of healthcare providers include working conditions and facilities, job roles and responsibilities, work-related health and safety, incentives other than salary, resource availability, and supervision. Despite their vital role in the quality of healthcare, developing countries lack evidence on the organizational factors affecting the motivation of midwives and nurses.
Objective
To determine the organizational factors of academic motivation among midwives and nurses in Ethiopia
Methods
An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed. This study was conducted at teaching hospitals located in the Amhara regional state. The academic motivation of midwives and nurses was assessed via interviews. For the analysis, SPSS version 23 was utilized after the data were entered using epi data. Following data collection, the data were examined for internal consistency and completeness. A quota sampling technique was carried out for all midwives and nurses in the study until the required number of participants was reached. A pretest using 5% of the sample size was conducted.
Results
The prevalence of organizational academic motivation among nurses and midwives in teaching hospitals in the Amhara regional state was 27.34% (confidence interval: 21.76%–33.85%). Satisfaction with the general working environment, satisfaction with being safe from disease in the workplace, having a good competitive salary, and satisfaction with the future pension plan of the government were positively associated with organizational academic motivation.
Conclusions
Organizational factors are strongly associated with the academic motivation of nurses and midwives. Every stakeholder of the healthcare system should strive to solve the organizational factors of academic motivation.
Introduction
Motivation in work settings is defined as the willingness to exert and maintain effort toward organizational goals (Fernandes et al., 2022; Malik et al., 2018). Motivation is a critical aspect to consider for the achievement of any kind of health service target or reform (Malik et al., 2018; Okello, 2014). Largely, motivation is considered the driving force for pursuing and satisfying needs, whereas job satisfaction is an emotional response to job conditions. Motivation and job satisfaction are distinct constructs but are known to be highly related, are often used interchangeably (Malik et al., 2018; Mamah & Ogbu, 2015), and are highly interdependent in increasing job performance in healthcare settings (Dieleman et al., 2003).
Organizational academic motivation is related to interests and spontaneous satisfaction and relates to different activities with separable outcomes or consequences (Makhamreh et al., 2022; Purohit et al., 2016; Willis-Shattuck et al., 2008). Compassion has both emotional and behavioral elements and can be seen as a process that starts with the recognition of others’ suffering and incorporates behavior aimed at alleviating that suffering (Ménage et al., 2017; Seery).
Review of Literature
Midwifery and nursing professions are among the most stressful of all the healthcare practices in the global healthcare system (Bakibinga et al., 2012; Sabzevari & Rad, 2019). The importance of staff well-being in healthcare is a prominent feature in maternity care policy documents and guidelines, both in Ireland and internationally (Burton, 2010; Doherty & O’Brien, 2022; Helps et al., 2021). The provision of emotional, physical, spiritual, and psychological presence/support by a midwife, as desired by the laboring woman, is dependent on the healthcare provider's (HCP’s) motivation (Newton et al., 2014).
The quality of care in the modern healthcare system of developing countries, including Ethiopia, is dependent on the level of passion and motivation of midwives in maternity wards and nurses in medical, surgical, and emergency wards (Carolan & Kruger, 2011; Crowther et al., 2016). Nurses in sub-Saharan Africa play a major role in primary healthcare delivery, especially in areas where other healthcare cadres are scarce (Bakibinga et al., 2012; Engelbrecht, 2005). Nursing and midwifery practices everywhere are acknowledged as stressful, and nurses in Africa bear especially significant burdens due to very poor pay and heavy workloads. This exposes them to stress and burnout (Bakibinga et al., 2012).
The tools used to measure the organizational factors of the academic motivation of HCPs include working conditions and facilities, job roles and responsibilities, work-related health and safety, incentives other than salary, resource availability, and supervision (Malik et al., 2018).
Moreover, the morale of the staff tends to improve when they are properly motivated (Bakibinga et al., 2012).
Problem Statement and Objectives
Studying job satisfaction is both intriguing and vital, as it has a wide range of positive effects on employees, organizations, and society as a whole (Aroosiya et al., 2021). Additionally, this leads to maximizing output in the industrial sector while also promoting greater human value within the workplace (McCall et al., 2009).
This study seeks to address this gap by analyzing key workplace determinants. Although academic motivation is crucial for the quality of healthcare services, there is a lack of evidence in developing countries regarding the organizational factors that influence the motivation of midwives and nurses. Therefore, this study investigates the various organizational factors that affect the academic motivation of midwives and nurses in teaching hospitals in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights for healthcare policymakers in the country to improve healthcare delivery models. Furthermore, the study would be the cornerstone for further analysis of organizational factors of academic and professional motivations.
This study aimed to determine the organizational factors affecting academic motivation among midwives and nurses in teaching hospitals in the Amhara regional state.
Methods and Procedures
Study Design and Setting
This multicenter, institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out in four major teaching hospitals across the Amhara Regional State, namely the University of Gondar Hospital, Tibebe Ghion Referral Hospital, Dessie Referral Teaching Hospital, and Debre Birhan Referral Hospital. All the study settings are teaching referral hospitals in Ethiopia, which are primarily serving the population of the Amhara regional state. Those study settings were selected randomly among all government teaching hospitals in Amhara regional state. It was conducted from 1 January 2024 to 15 March 2024. All the hospitals had midwives and nursing professionals.
Source Population
All nurses and midwives working at selected teaching hospitals in the Amhara regional state, Ethiopia
Study Population
All selected nurses and midwives working at selected teaching hospitals in the Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, during the study period till the required sample was achieved.
Sample Size Determination and Sampling Technique
The sample size was determined with a 50% proportion (p = 0.5; the level of significance of the population was taken to be 95%, Z α/2 = 1.96). A 5% level of precision (d = 0.05). Ultimately, the sample size included was 384. A quota sampling technique was carried out for all midwives and nurses in the study until the required number of participants was reached.
Data Collection and Analysis Procedures
The data were collected by eight BSc midwives who had received three days of training. The necessary data were gathered via a structured questionnaire from previously published works (Al Ansari et al., 2021). The academic motivation of midwives and nurses was assessed via face-to-face interviews using structured tools. The academic motivation of midwives and nurses was measured using a structured 12-item tool. For the analysis, SPSS version 23 was utilized after the data were entered using epi data. The validity and reliability of the tools were determined in a procedural way with expert consultation and a literature review. Following data collection, the data were examined for internal consistency and completeness before being subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. To assess the relationship between dependent and outcome variables, bivariate and multivariate analyses yielded crude odds ratios (CORs) and adjusted odds ratios (AORs), with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and multicollinearity were examined to reduce bias and determine the fitness of the model.
Quality Control Measures
A pretest using 5% of the sample size was conducted, and the data gathering tool was then revised. In addition, the entire process of gathering data was overseen.
Operational Definitions
Results
A total of 384 respondents were included in this study, for a response rate of 100%. The majority of the respondents in the study were found in the age group of between 25 and 34 years, were orthodox Christians in religion, and had a monthly income of >6,000 ETB (Table 1).
Distribution of the Sociodemographic Characteristics of the Respondents at Teaching Hospitals in the Amhara Regional State, Northwestern Ethiopia, 2024 (N = 384).
Note. ETB = Ethiopian Birr.
The majority of the respondents did not have proper dressing rooms or toilets in their organization, were not satisfied with the general work environment, did not have a good competitive salary for this profession, and were not satisfied with opportunities for promotion (Table 2).
Distribution of the Academic Motivation Organization Factors of the Respondents at Teaching Hospitals in the Amhara Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia, 2024 (N = 384).
Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the following organizational factors determined academic motivation: satisfaction with the general working environment, good competitive salary for the profession, satisfaction with safety from disease during work, and satisfaction with the pension plan (Table 3).
Multivariate Logistic Regression of Organizational Factors Associated with Academic Motivation in Teaching Hospitals in the Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, in 2024 (N = 384).
Note. COR = crude odds ratio; AOR = adjusted odds ratio; CI = confidence interval. *p < 0.05;
Discussion
Main Finding
The main finding of this study was the determination of the organizational factors of academic motivation among nurses and midwives working at teaching hospitals in the Amhara regional state. The overall prevalence of organizational academic motivation among nurses and midwives in teaching hospitals in the Amhara regional state was 27.34% (CI 21.76%–33.85%). This finding is lower than that of a study performed among HCPs in public hospitals (Dagne et al., 2015; Mamah & Ogbu, 2015). The reason for this discrepancy could be the difference in the study setting and the current limitation of government incentives for HCPs, which does not even cover the basic need for market inflation in Ethiopia. In addition, the infrastructure of the healthcare settings and the opportunities given for midwives and nurses do not benefit them, as priority is given only to the clients in the healthcare system of Ethiopia. Despite the discrepancy in prevalence, the findings of this study are an alarming sign for government and healthcare system policy makers to reform the organizational factors of academic motivation among nurses and midwives in the healthcare system of Ethiopia. This would again benefit the quality of healthcare in the healthcare setting of Ethiopia.
Interpretation for Working Condition Factors
In this study, the odds of academic motivation were 3.17 times greater among nurses and midwives who were satisfied with their general working environment (AOR = 3.17 (1.73–5.02)) than among those who were unsatisfied. Despite the limitations of studies on organizational academic motivation, the available literature supports this finding (Malik et al., 2018; Willis-Shattuck et al., 2008). The possible justification for this association could be the need to have intrinsic intention and satisfaction in the general healthcare system for a midwife and/or nurse to have academic energy to perform their responsibilities. This might include satisfaction with colleagues, clients, supervisors, the infrastructure, and managerial-level persons.
The study also reported that being satisfied with the measure of safety from disease during work (AOR = 1.74 (1.03–4.29)) increased the odds of academic motivation by 74% compared with being dissatisfied. There is literature that is in line with this association of the independent variable with the academic motivation of midwives and nurses (Okello, 2014; Tanaka & Watanabea, 2012). The possible reason for this association could be that HCPs are prone to any form of hospital-acquired disease unless primary protection mechanisms are formulated and given to them. Hence, when midwives and nurses are afraid of these communicable diseases, they fear their families and themselves. This again affected their organizational academic motivation in the workplace. The nature of the healthcare services provided by nurses and midwives in the healthcare system of Ethiopia exposes them to vulnerabilities, leading to disease. Working for humans with a disease is frustrating unless precaution is taken. This affected the academic motivation of HCPs.
Interpretation for Compensation Factor
A good competitive salary for midwives and nurses (AOR = 2.49 (1.18–4.05)) also increases the academic motivation of nurses and midwives by 2.49 times compared with those who lack a good competitive salary. Studies of health professionals’ job satisfaction and academic motivation supported this finding (Engelbrecht, 2005; Newton et al., 2014). The possible reason for this association could be that the primary intention of any government employee is to support him/herself and his/her family with the incentives he/she receive. However, having a salary that is not competitive with current global and national market inflation does not even fulfill basic needs. This will again reduce the academic motivation of midwives and nurses in their workplace. If an employee believes that his or her salary is below his or her academic preparation, he or she would plan to leave the organization rather than stay there. This is basically due to the reduction in the organizational academic motivation of employees.
This study also revealed that being satisfied with the future pension plan of the government (AOR = 2.92 (1.11–3.98)) increases the odds of organizational academic motivation being 2.92 times greater for nurses and midwives than for those who are dissatisfied. The possible reason for this relationship could be the inadequacy of the current salary and related incentives for the midwives and nurses to reserve for their older age (Malik et al., 2018). Once they are out of the profession, they cannot even have a house and related basic needs for their families. Therefore, they rely on the future pension plan of the government. Hence, if the future pension plan of the healthcare system is unsatisfactory, HCPs would not have organizational academic motivation.
Strengths and Limitations of the Study
The study's strengths include its specific focus on determining the organizational factors of academic motivation among nurses and midwives. The multicenter study allows generalizability, and its organizational focus offers actionable insights among understudied professional groups.
The main limitation of this research is that the cross-sectional nature limits causality and the limited control over confounding variables.
Implication for Practice
This study suggested that improved human resource policies in healthcare institutions, targeted professional development initiatives, informed organizational leadership, informed national health policy and workforce planning, and strengthened health system capacity for improved organizational academic motivation among midwives and nurses.
Conclusion
The prevalence of organizational academic motivation among nurses and midwives in teaching hospitals in the Amhara regional state was 27.34% CI (21.76%–33.85%). Satisfaction with the general working environment, being safe from disease in the workplace, and a good competitive salary were the factors associated with organizational academic motivation among midwives and nurses. The study findings showed genuine implications of organizational factors for health professionals' academic motivation.
Therefore, stakeholders should work on the organizational needs of HCPs to improve the organizational academic motivation of midwives and nurses in the modern healthcare system of the country. In addition, the study implies that for the implementation of a health worker motivation strategy, invest in infrastructure and improve supervision protocols. The study also recommends that future researchers study the detailed association between academic motivation and the intrinsic factors of employees beyond the organization.
Footnotes
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to the data collectors, midwives, and nurses who participated in the data collection, hospital managers, health professionals, and all individuals who were willing to support us to any extent.
Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate
Ethics approval was obtained from the College Health Science Ethical Review Board of Debre Tabor University with reference number DTU/0061/24. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants and the health providers who participated in the study. Names and other identifying information were not included in the study. In addition, all methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines, regulations, and the study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.
Author Contributions
Funding
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Availability of Data and Materials
All data included in this manuscript can be accessed from the corresponding author upon request through the email address.
