MODERATING EFFECT OF PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT ON THE INFLUENCE OF STRATEGIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES PRACTICES ON EXTERNAL LABOUR MOBILITY IN PUBLIC LEVEL FIVE HOSPITALS IN KENYA

Abstract

Human resources for Health are a strategic asset in the implementation of the universal health care coverage and their motivation, attraction and retention is instrumental in attaining the set goals and objectives. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of strategic health and safety practices on external labor mobility in public level five hospitals in Kenya. The study adopted the mixed research design method involved a variety of analytical methods. Heinrich’s Domino theory was used to explain the relationship between the variables under study. The study targeted a population of 4,388 medical officers and nurses in the fourteen public level five hospitals in Kenya, from which a sample of 353 respondents were selected using stratified random sampling methods while purposive sampling technique was used to select the eight (8) public level five hospitals  representing the former provinces in Kenya. Quantitative data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential methods. The findings of this research indicated that strategic health and safety was not a significant predictor of external labour mobility.  The study recommended that the Government of Kenya (GoK) and the County Governments should offer sponsorship programs to the human resources for health; provision of personal protective equipment/gear and adequate working conditions to protect themselves against occupational diseases and loss of life; formation of health and safety committees in the health facilities. Future researchers should focus on other strategic human resource management practices influencing external labour mobility especially on generational groups.