Abstract

The purpose of this study was to make a comparative analysis of work-life balance practices among health practitioners in the Government, CHAM and private health facilities in Malawi with Mzimba district used as a case study area. The objectives of the study were to analyse the work life balance practices in the health facilities that can improve service delivery, to determine the impact of work-life practices on performance of health institutions, to assess challenges experienced in implementing effective work -life balance practices and to make recommendations on policies that can further improve work-life balance practices of health practitioners in the health institutions in Malawi. The study was conducted in the government, CHAM and the private health facilities in Mzimba district situated in the Northern Region of Malawi.The study adopted a mixed methods research design and targeted a population of 1500 health practitioners in the government, CHAM and private health facilities in Mzimba district. Convenience sampling was used to select the health facilities to be involved in the study in the district while purposive sampling was used to select a total of 150 respondents from the various health facilities. With the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme, analysis was done and the results used to get to the conclusion of the study results. Through content analysis, qualitative data collected was analysed in line with the major themes. The data was then presented using frequency tables, bar graphs and pie charts. The findings show that most respondents were of the view that unsatisfactory work-life balance practices affect staff motivation, and leads to poor commitment to work, poor retention, and ultimately to poor performance. The study found that there are unsatisfactory work-life balance practices among health practitioners in Malawi due to various reasons like shortage of staff. In this regard, the study recommends among others to increase staff levels and to create a conducive working environment in health facilities characterized by clear policies on work-life balance practices.

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School	: School of Law, Economics and Government
Issued Date	: 2016

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