Socio-Demographic and Occupational Correlates of Job Satisfaction among Healthcare Workers at Tertiary Hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Job satisfaction among healthcare workers is a key determinant of workforce stability and service quality. However, limited research has examined socio-demographic and occupational factors associated with job satisfaction among healthcare workers in Northern Nigeria. This study examined socio-demographic and occupational correlates of job satisfaction among healthcare workers at tertiary hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna State. Non-probability sampling was used to recruit 282 participants across professional categories. Data were collected using an adapted structured, self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to examine associations between variables and job satisfaction at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Overall, 54.3% of participants reported moderate-to-high job satisfaction, while 45.7% reported low satisfaction. In bivariate analysis, religion (χ2 = 8.99, p = 0.01), number of dependents (χ2 = 9.14, p = 0.027), multiple leave types (χ2 = 6.32, p = 0.015), and income satisfaction (χ2 = 8.93, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with low job satisfaction. However, in multivariate logistic regression, only two variables remained significant. Having more than one leave type was associated with increased odds of low satisfaction (AOR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.18-3.25, p = 0.010), while satisfaction with income was associated with reduced odds of low satisfaction (AOR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.28-0.75, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Moderate job satisfaction levels were observed among healthcare workers in tertiary hospitals in Kaduna State. Income satisfaction and leave entitlements were independently associated with job satisfaction. Interventions should prioritize equitable compensation and the practical implementation of leave policies to improve workforce satisfaction.