A Narrative Review of Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction among Nurses in Africa

Background: There is a renewed interest in job satisfaction among healthcare workers including nurses in Africa and the West African sub-region due to the perception that global shifts in the internal structures and employment practices are inducing changes in the ties that bind employees to their job. Therefore, it is necessary to examine various studies in order to establish an empirical base and utility for the theory of knowledge. Objective: This paper reviewed some of the available literatures on factors affecting job satisfaction among nurses around the world with special focus on the African continent. Methods: Electronic search of Medline, PubMed, Health Internetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI), and Google Scholar databases up to 2014 was carried out for studies which analyzed the factors affecting job satisfaction of nurses around the world, Africa and West Africa. Results: Although regional variations in levels of job satisfaction exist among nurses globally, there is more general trend of dissatisfaction and these are because of various factors related to the work environment. Nigerian nurses are generally more satisfied (as high as 92%) with their jobs when compared with their colleagues in other African countries. Socio-demographic and socioeconomic variables do not affect job satisfaction as much as leadership styles, promotion and other features related to the work environment. Conclusion: Strong leadership style is a probable reason why nurses in Nigeria are more satisfied with their jobs when compared with their colleagues in other countries even though they may work for longer hours or earn relatively less salaries.