The determinants of health workers’ job satisfaction in the Saudi Arabian health facilities

Background: Job satisfaction is closely related to health service quality and patients’ outcomes, including safety and continuity of care. With the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system driven by Vision 2030, determining the factors influencing job satisfaction among healthcare workers has become critical. 

Objective: To identify the sociodemographic determinants and their association with healthcare workers’ job satisfaction in public hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

Methods: Through a cross-sectional design, healthcare workers from 13 public hospitals were invited to respond to a self-administered questionnaire based on Spector's Job Satisfaction Survey. Data were collected via an electronic online survey (Google Form). Chi-square, ANOVA, independent t-tests, and multiple linear regression analysis were used. 

Results: Nine hundred and thirty-two healthcare workers responded. There were significantly more females than males among nurses, midwives, and those with bachelor's qualifications. Conversely, there were significantly more males than females in administrative jobs. Males reported significantly higher income, were more likely to be married, and perform non-clinical work. Higher satisfaction scores were reported among males, non-Saudis, those 50 years or above, holding a diploma education, married, working in a tertiary hospital, and working the day shift. The regression model showed that being female, working in a night or rotating shift were negatively associated with job satisfaction. Being non-Saudi and working part-time were positively associated with job satisfaction. 

Conclusions: Job satisfaction was higher among non-Saudis and those working part-time. It was lower among females and those working at night or rotating shift.