Public Service Motivation and Retention of Health Workers in Adamawa State

This study examines the role of public service motivation (PSM) in influencing the retention of health workers in Adamawa State public health institutions, located in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. Health worker shortages are severe in the region, driven by emigration, rural-to-urban migration, and departure to the private sector. Understanding what motivates those who remain in public service is critical for designing effective retention strategies. A professional survey design is used, collecting data from 175 doctors, nurses, and community health workers across six state hospitals and primary health centres. Data are analysed using regression and mean score comparisons. Perry's Public Service Motivation Theory provides the conceptual framework, examining how dimensions of PSM including civic duty, commitment to public interest, and compassion shape job satisfaction and organisational retention. Findings reveal that intrinsic PSM dimensions, particularly the sense of serving vulnerable communities, are the strongest predictors of retention among health workers who remain in public service despite poor remuneration and difficult working conditions. However, persistent delays in salary payment, lack of protective equipment, and absence of career development opportunities are threatening even intrinsically motivated workers' willingness to continue in public service. Recommendations include timely salary payment systems, structured career development pathways for clinical staff, and community recognition programmes that affirm the public service contributions of health workers. Keywords: public service motivation, health worker retention, Adamawa State, human resources for health, public health.