Career development and the retention of health workers in rural dispensaries in Chamwino District, Tanzania
Onesmo Joseph Kihiyo & Josephine Philip Churk
Abstract
Career development is crucial for employee retention, as it enhances skills, knowledge, and expertise, ultimately leading to increased job satisfaction and enhanced organizational commitment among employees. However, the retention of health workers in rural areas remains a recurring problem that significantly impairs the quality and availability of healthcare services. This study examines the influence of career development on the retention of healthcare workers in rural dispensaries in Tanzania. Specifically, it assesses the awareness of career development opportunities for retention of health workers in rural dispensaries in Chamwino District, Tanzania. A mixed-method approach, involving both quantitative and qualitative approaches, was employed. It also utilizes a cross-sectional design to collect data from healthcare workers in rural dispensaries. The study employed interviews and survey methods for data collection, and subsequently used content analysis, descriptive statistics, and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings revealed significant awareness of career development opportunities among health workers in the study area. The study concludes that health workers in the study area are aware of career development opportunities available; however, it highlights the importance of strategizing ongoing communication and information-sharing related to career development opportunities. It contributes to the knowledge that awareness of career development opportunities significantly helps to retaining rural health workers. The study recommends the establishment of online platforms for easy sharing and access to staff career development opportunities.
Keywords
career advancement, employees retention, rural health workers, healthcare services
Author information & Contribution
Onesmo Joseph Kihiyo. Human Resource Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Regional Police Dodoma, Tanzania. Email: onesmokihiyo88@gmail.com
Josephine Philip Churk. Corresponding author. Senior Lecturer, Department of Business Administration, College of Business Education, Dodoma - Tanzania. Email: josephinechurk2024@gmail.com
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines set by the College of Business Education and the data collection permission offered by Chamwino District Council.
AI Declaration
AI tools were not used in writing this paper.
Notes
Acknowledgement
References
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Cite this article:
Kihiyo, O.J. & Churk, J.P. (2026). Career development and the retention of health workers in rural dispensaries in Chamwino District, Tanzania. International Journal of Academe and Industry Research, 7(1), 105-129. https://doi.org/10.53378/ijair.353323
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