Levels of the health system workforce’s competence and predictors to lead, manage, and govern in northwest Ethiopia

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of competence and predictors to lead, manage, and govern among the health system workforce. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in northwest Ethiopia. Eight hundred thirteen workforce were participated in the study. Competence to lead, manage, and govern was computed from 20 items. It was also leveled into four categories. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of this competence. Results: From 813 participants, 396 (48.7%) and 582 (71.6%) were females and service owners respectively. The estimates for low, moderate, high and very high levels of competence to lead, manage and govern were 41.3%; 42.7%; 13.5% and 2.5% respectively. Sex (p = .031) and responsibility (p = .019) were identified as main predictors. Conclusions: Competence to lead, manage and govern among the health system workforce in northwest Ethiopia is inadequate. Policymakers, program planners and researchers need to take action giving due attention to females and service owners. Feature research could be conducted considering hierarchical variables.