Psychological wellbeing of health workers in low- and lower-middle income countries: a mixed-methods study of levels, determinants and consequences for turnover and performance across 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa 

Health workers are at high risk of poor mental wellbeing due to their particularly strenuous work demands. This is a particular concern in the heavily constrained health systems that are found in most low- and lower-middle-income countries. To date, however, little attention has been paid to this issue.

I will assess psychological wellbeing of health workers in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, using comparable quantitative secondary data. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study further aims to understand potential reasons for poor (or good) psychological wellbeing as well as potential consequences for performance and turnover, at the individual, the organisational and the broader level.

The study is expected to make an important contribution to the development of context-appropriate strategies to ensure a healthy and productive workforce that is able to deliver high-quality healthcare services to all in need.