Evaluating the quality of work life and associated factors among nurses in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-...

BACKGROUND: Quality of work life (QWL) describes how well members of an organization can meet their personal needs through their work experiences. For healthcare organizations, maintaining a high QWL is essential to attract, retain, and motivate qualified and dedicated employees, which in turn enhances task performance. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess QWL and its associated factors among nurses in Ethiopia. METHODS: The databases PubMed, Hinari, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar were searched for original studies published up to August 2024. Cross-sectional studies assessing the QWL among nurses in Ethiopia and published in peer-reviewed journals in English were included. Two independent reviewers completed the study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist was used for quality assessment. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled mean and prevalence of QWL and associated factors, with heterogeneity assessed using I² test statistics. RESULTS: Out of 161 studies screened, six studies with a total of 1,958 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Quality of work life score and the prevalence of good QWL were low among nurses working in Ethiopia. The meta-regression analysis yielded inconclusive results regarding factors associated with poor QWL, primarily due to the limited number of studies included. CONCLUSION: QWL among Ethiopian nurses is considerably low. Enhancing their salaries and educational status, along with ensuring a secure working environment, could improve their professional quality of life and, consequently, overall health delivery. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.