@article{10.11648/j.hep.20190404.13,
  author = {Bridget Omowumi Akin-Otiko and Modupe Motunrayo Adamolekun and Julie Remilekun Amoka},
  title = {Nurses’ Perception of Causes of 2015 Strikes at Federal Medical Centre Owerri: Implication for Preventive Strategies},
  journal = {International Journal of Health Economics and Policy},
  volume = {4},
  number = {4},
  pages = {132-142},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hep.20190404.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hep.20190404.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hep.20190404.13},
  abstract = {“Get the nurses to go back to work” was the directive, after two years of intermittent labour strikes and consequent shutdown of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, South Eastern Nigeria. It was assumed that, since nurses constituted the largest percentage of health workers, their resumption would frustrate and end the strike. However, studies have shown that the use of force rarely worked. This study examined the nurses’ perception of causes of the strikes and the government interventions. The WHO healthy workplace framework was adapted in recommending strategies to prevent reoccurrence. Exploratory research design with mixed method sequential exploratory data collection strategy was utilized. Findings from focus group discussions in first phase were used to develop Likert scale self-administered questionnaire at second quantitative phase. One hundred and thirty-nine and 461 nurses participated in the qualitative and quantitative phases respectively. Epi Info statistical package was used for data entry and analysis of the quantitative data. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for all the items, and Chi-square was calculated between the senior and junior nurses’ responses. The responses of the senior and junior nurses were similar on the items. All sixteen causes of the strike identified by participants were within Psychosocial Work Environment of the WHO framework. Disparity in salary was highest (443(96.1%), followed by highhandedness of the chief executive (436(94.58%). Participants opined that insincerity of the investigation panel (369(80%) and seriousness of the crisis led to the shutdown (341(73.97%) of the facility. Suggested fifteen preventive strategies against strikes covered two of the WHO’s workplace environments. They included, the psychosocial environment: effective communication (450(97.61%), promotion of nurses as and when due (447(96.96%), harmonization of salaries (445(96.53%), change of chief executive (442(95.87%); and the physical environment: provision of materials to work with in the hospital (406(88%). Accurate reports by panels of enquiry (448(97.18%), appropriate prompt attention to the causes (447(96.96%), and avoidance of sentiments (446(96.75%) could prevent repeat shutdown of the facility. Chi-square showed no significant difference in the responses of the senior and junior nurses. According to the WHO healthy work place intervention model, elimination, substitution and modification of contents and processes in the workplace may be required. Stakeholders should avoid factors that hinder appropriate interventions; and uphold values that protect workers and the benefitting communities.},
 year = {2019}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Nurses’ Perception of Causes of 2015 Strikes at Federal Medical Centre Owerri: Implication for Preventive Strategies
AU  - Bridget Omowumi Akin-Otiko
AU  - Modupe Motunrayo Adamolekun
AU  - Julie Remilekun Amoka
Y1  - 2019/11/05
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hep.20190404.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.hep.20190404.13
T2  - International Journal of Health Economics and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Health Economics and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Health Economics and Policy
SP  - 132
EP  - 142
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-9309
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hep.20190404.13
AB  - “Get the nurses to go back to work” was the directive, after two years of intermittent labour strikes and consequent shutdown of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, South Eastern Nigeria. It was assumed that, since nurses constituted the largest percentage of health workers, their resumption would frustrate and end the strike. However, studies have shown that the use of force rarely worked. This study examined the nurses’ perception of causes of the strikes and the government interventions. The WHO healthy workplace framework was adapted in recommending strategies to prevent reoccurrence. Exploratory research design with mixed method sequential exploratory data collection strategy was utilized. Findings from focus group discussions in first phase were used to develop Likert scale self-administered questionnaire at second quantitative phase. One hundred and thirty-nine and 461 nurses participated in the qualitative and quantitative phases respectively. Epi Info statistical package was used for data entry and analysis of the quantitative data. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for all the items, and Chi-square was calculated between the senior and junior nurses’ responses. The responses of the senior and junior nurses were similar on the items. All sixteen causes of the strike identified by participants were within Psychosocial Work Environment of the WHO framework. Disparity in salary was highest (443(96.1%), followed by highhandedness of the chief executive (436(94.58%). Participants opined that insincerity of the investigation panel (369(80%) and seriousness of the crisis led to the shutdown (341(73.97%) of the facility. Suggested fifteen preventive strategies against strikes covered two of the WHO’s workplace environments. They included, the psychosocial environment: effective communication (450(97.61%), promotion of nurses as and when due (447(96.96%), harmonization of salaries (445(96.53%), change of chief executive (442(95.87%); and the physical environment: provision of materials to work with in the hospital (406(88%). Accurate reports by panels of enquiry (448(97.18%), appropriate prompt attention to the causes (447(96.96%), and avoidance of sentiments (446(96.75%) could prevent repeat shutdown of the facility. Chi-square showed no significant difference in the responses of the senior and junior nurses. According to the WHO healthy work place intervention model, elimination, substitution and modification of contents and processes in the workplace may be required. Stakeholders should avoid factors that hinder appropriate interventions; and uphold values that protect workers and the benefitting communities.
VL  - 4
IS  - 4
ER  - 

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