ASSESSMENT OF JOB SATISFACTION AMONG PHARMACY PROFESSIONALS IN SOUTH- WEST ETHIOPIA

Background: Job satisfaction represents one of the most complex areas facing today’s managers when it comes to managing their employees.  The level of job satisfaction among pharmacy personnel is of importance because it may affect performance and retention.

Objective: To assess the level of job satisfaction and factors associated with it among pharmacy professionals working at selected health facilities in south west Ethiopia.

Method: Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted among pharmacy professionals working in selected towns, Jimma, Agaro and Limmu Genet, of Southwest Ethiopia from June 30-July 15, 2011 using self-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 16.0. Participants’ written informed consent to participate in the study was obtained after explaining about the purpose and procedure of the study.

Results: Out of 97 pharmacy professionals included in the study, 59 (60.8%) were satisfied and 38(39.2%) were dissatisfied in their job. The major reasons reported for satisfaction were  helping the needy 28(28.9%) and professional gratification 23 (23.7%).The major reasons identified for dissatisfaction were inadequate salary 24 (24.75%), poor interaction with other health care team members 15 (15.5%), lack of motivation 12 (12.4%), insufficient on service training 11 (11.34%) and poor health institution infrastructure 10 (10.31%).

Conclusion: More than half of therespondents were satisfied about their job which was explained by helping the needy and professional gratification. More than one third of the participants were dissatisfied mainly due to inadequate salary and lack of adequate interaction with other health care team member. Thus, policy makers and health service managers should act in order to improve the quality and quantity of health care services.