Determinant Factors of Employee Engagement in the Primary Health Care Division of the Local Government Service of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study explores the critical factors influencing employee engagement in the Primary Health Care (PHC) division of the Local Government Service in Osun State, Nigeria. Recognizing that effective PHC service delivery relies heavily on a committed and motivated workforce, the research applies factor analysis to identify and interpret the underlying variables that shape employee engagement. Data were collected from 506 respondents, comprising 266 PHC workers and 240 health service users, selected across 12 local government councils in the state. Using a structured questionnaire rated on a 5-point Likert scale, variables such as leadership effectiveness, career development, training, organizational culture, compensation, and work-life balance were examined. The correlation analysis revealed a strong association between training and career development (r = 0.574, p = 0.000) and between training and mission alignment (r = 0.572, p = 0.000). Factor analysis results show that leadership effectiveness accounts for the highest proportion of variance in engagement at 44.239%, followed by alignment with the organization’s mission at 12.879%, jointly explaining 57.117% of the total variance. Other contributors include employee well-being (10.299%), career development (9.677%), and training (8.338%), while compensation (3.962%) and work-life balance (4.542%) were less impactful. The study concludes that enhancing leadership quality, providing structured career development, and reinforcing mission alignment are essential strategies for improving employee engagement in the PHC system. These insights offer valuable guidance for public sector administrators and policymakers aiming to strengthen workforce performance and healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.