Work engagement and its relationship with workplace performance among midwives in public health facilities: A cross-sectional study

Work engagement is a critical determinant of workplace performance and healthcare quality. However, empirical evidence among midwives in Ghana remains limited. This study examined work engagement and its relationship with workplace performance among midwives in Northern Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 231 midwives across three public health facilities using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Work engagement was assessed using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), while workplace performance was measured with the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, linear regression, and path analysis with SPSS and AMOS. The mean work engagement score was 2.41 ± 0.98, with absorption recording the highest mean score (2.51 ± 1.06). The mean workplace performance score was 1.98 ± 0.67; task performance was the highest-scoring dimension (2.67 ± 1.04), whereas counterproductive work behavior was the lowest (0.78 ± 0.77). Work engagement had a significant positive effect on workplace performance (β = 0.66, S.E. = 0.03, p < 0.001). Vigor, dedication, and absorption were positively correlated with task and contextual performance. Age, work experience, and workplace significantly predicted work engagement, while educational level, work experience, and workplace were significant predictors of workplace performance (p < 0.05). Work engagement is a significant positive predictor of workplace performance among midwives in Northern Ghana. Interventions that enhance engagement, particularly dedication and absorption, within supportive organizational environments may improve midwives’ performance and contribute to improved maternal healthcare outcomes.