Nurses' intention to leave their job in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: Nurses' intention to leave their job is a worldwide concern. Internal and external brain drain factors are the main reason for nurses' intention to leave their job. So far, in Sub Sahara Africa, several observational studies have been done on nurses' intention to leave their job. However, a comprehensive review that would have a lot of evidence for designing an intervention is lacking. Hence, this study aimed to the pooled status of nurses' intention to leave their job. METHODS: In the current meta-analysis, the target variables were searched from different electronic databases. These electronic databases are Pub Med, Google Scholar, Science Direct, African Index Medicus, African Journal Online, EMB ASE, and the Cochran Library. To determine the pooled proportion of intention to leave their job in Sub- Saharan Africa, all the necessary data was extracted by using a standardized data extraction format. We analyzed the data by using Stata 15 statistical software. Heterogeneity between the primary studies assessed by Cochran Q and I-square tests. A random-effect model computes to estimate the pooled nurses' intention to leave their job. RESULT: We included fifteen full-text studies in the current meta-analysis. The findings of this meta-analysis revealed that the pooled proportion of nurses' intention to leave their job in sub-Saharan Africa was 50.74% (95% CI; 41.33, 60.14; I2 = 95.80%). The subgroup analysis showed that the highest pooled proportion of intention to leave their job (58.03% (95% CI: 47.93, 68.12)) in East Africa. The lowest pooled estimation to leave their job among nurses showed that South Africa (33.04% (95%CI: 20.45, 45.63)). CONCLUSION: In the current study, there was a high proportion of nurses indentation to leave their job. Nurses' intention to leave their job also varied from region to region in the study area. Therefore, health managers and stakeholders focus on design sufficient development and career opportunities, positive working atmosphere, and secure their autonomy.