ArticleBMJ global health2022
The health workforce status in the WHO African Region: findings of a cross-sectional study.
Article in BMJ global health, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 131 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
131 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Experiences of midwives working in rural areas in Africa: a meta-aggregative review of qualitative studies on facilitators and barriers to effective healthcare delivery.Reproductive health · 2025Pooled it
- Public awareness and acceptance of malaria vaccine in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.BMC public health · 2025Pooled it
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- Contribution of Community Health Workers to Strengthening the Health System in Mali: Impact and Challenges, 2010-2024.Journal of community health · 2026Article
- The Role of Research, Quality Improvement, and Training in Achieving Medicines Security in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Exploration of Stakeholders' Perspectives.Health science reports · 2026Article
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- Career Choice and Career Change Among South African Health Professions: A Qualitative Study.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Maturity assessment of KenyaEMR: advancing digital health solutions through continuous improvement in Kenya.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mobile App and Wearable Device for Collecting Mental Health Survey and Passively Sensed Data Among Health Care Workers in Kenya: Mixed Methods Pilot Study.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2026Article
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- A Descriptive Assessment of Healthcare Workers' Preparedness for Digital Health Systems in Malawi.Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi · 2026Article
- Digital innovations and health information systems: Lessons learned from implementing ALMANACH in Nigeria.PLOS digital health · 2026Article
- Human resource challenges in leprosy control: A cross-sectional study in southwest border area of China.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Article
71 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
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Abstract
introductionSeveral efforts have been made globally to strengthen the health workforce (HWF); however, significant challenges still persist especially in the African Region. This study was conducted by the WHO Regional Office for Africa to present the status of the HWF in 47 countries as a baseline in measuring countries' progress in implementing the Global Strategy for HWF by 2030.
methodsThis was a cross-sectional survey of 47 countries in the African Region using a semistructured questionnaire. Data were collected from January 2018 to April 2019. Before data collection, a tool was developed and piloted in four countries. The completed tools were validated in the countries by relevant stakeholders in the 47 countries. Data were collated and analysed in Epi Info and Microsoft Excel.
resultsThe total stock of health workers was approximately 3.6 million across 47 countries. Among these, 37% of the health workers were nurses and midwives, 9% were medical doctors, 10% were laboratory personnel, 14% were community health workers, 14% were other health workers, and 12% were administrative and support staff. Results show uneven distribution of health workers within the African Region. Most health workers (85%) are in the public sector. Regional density of physicians, nurses and midwives per 1000 population was 1.55, only 4 countries had densities of more than 4.45 physicians, nurses and midwives per 1000 population.
conclusionThis survey has demonstrated that the shortage and maldistribution of health workers in the WHO African Region remain a big challenge towards the attainment of universal access to health services. This calls for the need to substantially increase investment in the HWF based on contextual evidence in line with the current and future health needs.
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