Gender differences in work attendance among health care workers in Northern Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic
Summary: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the overwork of health care workers (HCWs) and greater household burdens for women. This study examines gender differences in HCWs' work attendance under COVID-19 and household burdens as a potential mediator of the gender difference i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-10-01
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| Series: | EClinicalMedicine |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537022003352 |
| _version_ | 1828517890983198720 |
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| author | Modupe Taiwo Oluwatoyin Oyekenu Ferdinard Ekeh Arnab K. Dey Anita Raj |
| author_facet | Modupe Taiwo Oluwatoyin Oyekenu Ferdinard Ekeh Arnab K. Dey Anita Raj |
| author_sort | Modupe Taiwo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the overwork of health care workers (HCWs) and greater household burdens for women. This study examines gender differences in HCWs' work attendance under COVID-19 and household burdens as a potential mediator of the gender difference in Northern Nigeria. Methods: From April to May 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey on work and household burdens with a convenience sample of male and female HCWs (N=334) across 16 facilities in the Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara states in Northern Nigeria. We used a series of multilevel modified Poisson regression models to examine the associations between gender and HCW work attendance. We also tested the mediation effect of household burdens on this observed association. Findings: Only 2·10% of HCWs reported <5 days of work in a typical week; 35·33% worked 6-7 days a week (i.e., HCW overwork). Males were more likely than females to report HCW overwork (46·33% vs. 22·93%), and females were more likely than males to report an increase in household burden (59·24% vs. 40·68%). Adjusted regression models found that men were more likely than women to report HCW overwork (ARR: 1·76, 95% CI: 1·17-2·66). Increased household burdens mediated 9 percent of the total effect between gender and HCW work attendance. Interpretation: The COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Nigeria made female HCWs contend with the dual burdens of formal and informal care work. This contributes to lower attendance among female HCWs and overwork for their male counterparts. Funding: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant Numbers: OPP1163682 & INV018007. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T18:47:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-58f83b97e30a4a6ebdac2db4a7d17ddb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2589-5370 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T18:47:41Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | EClinicalMedicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-58f83b97e30a4a6ebdac2db4a7d17ddb2022-12-22T00:54:25ZengElsevierEClinicalMedicine2589-53702022-10-0152101605Gender differences in work attendance among health care workers in Northern Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemicModupe Taiwo0Oluwatoyin Oyekenu1Ferdinard Ekeh2Arnab K. Dey3Anita Raj4Save the Children, Sierra Leone; Corresponding author at: Sir Samuel Lewis Road Aberdeen, Freetown, Sierra Leone.Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, NigeriaPalladium, NigeriaCenter on Gender Equity and Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USACenter on Gender Equity and Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA; Department of Education Studies, Division of Social Sciences, University of California, San Diego, USASummary: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the overwork of health care workers (HCWs) and greater household burdens for women. This study examines gender differences in HCWs' work attendance under COVID-19 and household burdens as a potential mediator of the gender difference in Northern Nigeria. Methods: From April to May 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey on work and household burdens with a convenience sample of male and female HCWs (N=334) across 16 facilities in the Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara states in Northern Nigeria. We used a series of multilevel modified Poisson regression models to examine the associations between gender and HCW work attendance. We also tested the mediation effect of household burdens on this observed association. Findings: Only 2·10% of HCWs reported <5 days of work in a typical week; 35·33% worked 6-7 days a week (i.e., HCW overwork). Males were more likely than females to report HCW overwork (46·33% vs. 22·93%), and females were more likely than males to report an increase in household burden (59·24% vs. 40·68%). Adjusted regression models found that men were more likely than women to report HCW overwork (ARR: 1·76, 95% CI: 1·17-2·66). Increased household burdens mediated 9 percent of the total effect between gender and HCW work attendance. Interpretation: The COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Nigeria made female HCWs contend with the dual burdens of formal and informal care work. This contributes to lower attendance among female HCWs and overwork for their male counterparts. Funding: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant Numbers: OPP1163682 & INV018007.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537022003352Health workersCOVID -19Northern nigeriaGenderHousehold burden |
| spellingShingle | Modupe Taiwo Oluwatoyin Oyekenu Ferdinard Ekeh Arnab K. Dey Anita Raj Gender differences in work attendance among health care workers in Northern Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic EClinicalMedicine Health workers COVID -19 Northern nigeria Gender Household burden |
| title | Gender differences in work attendance among health care workers in Northern Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | Gender differences in work attendance among health care workers in Northern Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Gender differences in work attendance among health care workers in Northern Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gender differences in work attendance among health care workers in Northern Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | Gender differences in work attendance among health care workers in Northern Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | gender differences in work attendance among health care workers in northern nigeria during the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | Health workers COVID -19 Northern nigeria Gender Household burden |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537022003352 |
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