Level of satisfaction among primary health care workers in Kosovo

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the extent and selected corelates of work satisfaction among primary healthcare professionals in Kosovo.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected regions of Kosovo during the period May-June 2022 including a representative sample of 500 primary healthcare workers (209 men and 291 women; overall mean age: 42.0±12.3 years). A structured 9-item questionnaire was administered to all participants aiming at assessing the level of satisfaction among primary healthcare workers (each item ranging from 1 [high] to 5 [low]). A summary score was calculated for all 9 items related to satisfaction level ranging from 9 (the highest satisfaction level) to 45 (the lowest satisfaction level). Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association of satisfaction level (dichotomized into “satisfied” vs. “unsatisfied”, based on median value of the summary score) with selected demographic factors and work characteristics of primary healthcare workers.Results: Mean summary score of the 9 items related to the satisfaction level of primary healthcare workers was about 23±5; median score was 23 (interquartile range: 20-26). In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, the level of satisfaction was not significantly related to any demographic factor, but positively associated with the years of working experience of primary healthcare workers [OR(for 1 year increment in the work experience)=1.03, 95%CI=1.00-1.05] Conclusion: The evidence from this study conducted in Kosovo indicates no significant relationships of the level of satisfaction with demographic factors of primary healthcare workers, but a strong association with their working experience. Policymakers in Kosovo and in other countries should be aware of the importance of working conditions and working environment in order to gradually increase the level of satisfaction of the staff, which is a basic prerequisite for quality improvement of service delivery at primary healthcare level.