The health workforce status in the WHO African Region

Findings of a cross-sectional study

Bibliographic Data

ID21879770
AuthorsAdam Ahmat (0000-0002-3708-264X, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, corresponding author), Sunny C Okoroafor (0000-0003-4690-485X, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa), Isabel Kazanga (University of Malawi College of Medicine), Isabel Kazanga Chiumia (0000-0003-1278-1097, University of Malawi), James Avoka Asamani (0000-0003-0620-6010, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa), Jean Jacques Salvador Millogo (World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa), Mourtala Mahaman Abdou Illou (World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa), Kasonde Mwinga (0000-0002-2765-3672, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa), Jennifer Nyoni (World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa)
Year2022
Volume7
IssueSuppl 1
Pagese008317
Publication date2022-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMJ Global Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2059-7908 • E-ISSN: 2059-7908
PublisherBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008317
PMID35675966
OpenAlexW4282042510
LanguageEN
Citations received40
References cited16

INTRODUCTION: Several efforts have been made globally to strengthen the health workforce (HWF); however, significant challenges still persist especially in the African Region. This study was conducted by the WHO Regional Office for Africa to present the status of the HWF in 47 countries as a baseline in measuring countries' progress in implementing the Global Strategy for HWF by 2030. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of 47 countries in the African Region using a semistructured questionnaire. Data were collected from January 2018 to April 2019. Before data collection, a tool was developed and piloted in four countries. The completed tools were validated in the countries by relevant stakeholders in the 47 countries. Data were collated and analysed in Epi Info and Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: The total stock of health workers was approximately 3.6 million across 47 countries. Among these, 37% of the health workers were nurses and midwives, 9% were medical doctors, 10% were laboratory personnel, 14% were community health workers, 14% were other health workers, and 12% were administrative and support staff. Results show uneven distribution of health workers within the African Region. Most health workers (85%) are in the public sector. Regional density of physicians, nurses and midwives per 1000 population was 1.55, only 4 countries had densities of more than 4.45 physicians, nurses and midwives per 1000 population. CONCLUSION: This survey has demonstrated that the shortage and maldistribution of health workers in the WHO African Region remain a big challenge towards the attainment of universal access to health services. This calls for the need to substantially increase investment in the HWF based on contextual evidence in line with the current and future health needs

Cross-sectional study · Data collection · Developing country · Economic growth · Economic shortage · Environmental health · Global health · Population · Public health · Sociology · Workforce · Global Health and Surgery · Global Health Workforce Issues · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Nursing

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