Work engagement of healthcare workers in maternal and child health institutions in the post-COVID-19 era: an online cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Abstract In the first wave of infection peak after China officially entered the normalization phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers are facing enormous challenges. This study aims to explore the work engagement and its influencing factors of healthcare workers in maternal and child health institutions in the post-COVID-19 era, as well as possible personal and organizational consequences. In January 2023, an online cross-sectional survey was conducted at maternal and child health institutions in Chongqing, China. Data were collected using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), the Perceived social support scale (PSSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs), Pearson’s correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis and chi-square tests were used to analyze the relationship between variables. Among the 411 healthcare workers, most participants reported moderate and high levels of work engagement. Low and moderate work engagement are more prone to anxiety/depression than high work engagement. The higher the level of work engagement, the higher job satisfaction and the lower turnover intention. Gender was associated with absorption. Employment form was associated with work engagement and its two dimensions (vigor and absorption). Preparedness and perceived social support were positively associated with work engagement and its three dimensions. The results call on hospital management to formulate strategies and measures to increase work engagement by providing a supportive work environment for employees in a high-pressure environment such as the pandemics, thereby ensuring their physical and mental health, retaining and attracting qualified employees, and maintaining the stability of the medical team.