Influence of Recognition Systems on Performance of the Health Workers in Public Health Facilities In Wajir County, Kenya

Abstract

Despite the ongoing health sector reforms in Kenya, services have remained poor especially in Wajir County. The inadequate performance of health workers coupled with lack of adequate support from the central and local governments are believed to have partly contributed to this deterioration and stagnation of some of the important health indicators under the second Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP II). Whatever the case, poor performance of individual health workers culminates into poor organizational performance. Failure of the stakeholders in the health sector to implement programmes meant to enhance workforce performance has led to poor quality of health services seen currently in the country. The study adopted a cross sectional survey research design with descriptive approach involving 109 health workers from 77 public health facilities in five sub-counties namely Wajir North, Wajir South, Wajir East, Wajir West, Eldas and Tarbaj. The survey used questionnaires to collect data from the respondents. Consent was obtained from participants. Logistic regression analysis results indicated that recognition systems influenced performance of health workers in Wajir County, Kenya. Recognition systems determined health workers’ performance. Public health facilities should focus on devising and practicing various forms of intrinsic reward systems such as; career advancement, promotion, praises, appreciation, democratic solution to problems, etc. in order to improve health workers’ performance and hence health services.