ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The shortage and poor distribution of the Health Workforce in Ivory Coast remains a major challenge for government authorities. The aim of this study was to identify factors related to healthcare workers' preferences for job posting in underserved areas. METHODS: The Discrete Choice Experiment method was used. The survey was conducted during the months of August and September 2015 among 490 students in healthcare worker training programmes and 574 in-service healthcare workers randomly selected from 8 health regions of Ivory Coast. The mixed logit model was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Availability of safe drinking water, electricity, phone network, and internet connexion (p = 0.001), availability of regular transportation (p < 0.001), family proximity (p < 0.001) were the most important job attributes for accepting job posting in underserved areas for in-service medical officers, nursing officers, and midwives.The main factors for accepting job posting in underserved areas by students in medical training programmes (medical school, nursing and midwifery school) were the availability of a scholarship after 5 years of employment (p = 0.009), the availability of safe drinking water, electricity, phone network, and internet connexion (p = 0.001), and availability of regular transportation (p < 0.001). Various combinations of these attributes with a financial bonus of 20% of the current salary would increase the proportion of health workers willing to work in underserved areas. CONCLUSION: These results could help to elaborate effective strategies for the attraction and maintenance of healthcare workers in underserved areas in Ivory Coast.
