Job satisfaction amongst rural medical aides providing emergency oral health care in rural Tanzania

Objective To investigate to what extent the rural medical aides (RMAs) in Tanzania were satisfied with their new (added) role of providing emergency oral health care services, and to analyse factors influencing job satisfaction amongst them. Design Cross-sectional survey using a self-administered job satisfaction questionnaire. Setting and subjects All 40 RMAs providing emergency oral health care in rural health centres and dispensaries in Mbeya and Tanga regions, Tanzania. Main outcome measure RMAs ratings of their overall satisfaction with the job of providing emergency oral health care. Results Overall, 95% of the RMAs were satisfied with providing emergency oral health care. Patient relations, personal time and stress were significantly correlated with overall job satisfaction in providing emergency oral health care. Conclusions The RMAs' newly added role of providing emergency oral health care does not seem to generate problems with job satisfaction.