Abstract
This study examined the effect of human resource inadequacy on staff workload, burnout, and job satisfaction in the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency. The study specifically investigated the effect of human resource inadequacy on workload and burnout among healthcare workers and examined its influence on staff job satisfaction. The study was anchored on Human Capital Theory, which highlights the importance of workforce capacity, skills, and development in improving organizational performance. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 150 healthcare workers selected from primary healthcare facilities across three Local Government Areas in Adamawa State. Due to the manageable size of the population, a census sampling technique was used, allowing all members of the population to participate. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and 144 questionnaires were successfully retrieved, representing a 96% response rate. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. The findings revealed that inadequate human resources significantly increased employees’ workload, contributed to burnout, affected work-life balance, and reduced staff productivity. The study also found that workforce shortages negatively influenced employees’ morale, motivation, job satisfaction, and access to professional development opportunities. These findings indicate that inadequate staffing remains a major challenge affecting employee well-being and the effectiveness of primary healthcare services in Adamawa State. The study concluded that improving human resource capacity is essential for reducing burnout, enhancing job satisfaction, and strengthening organizational performance. It recommends that the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency should prioritize the recruitment and retention of qualified healthcare personnel and implement supportive management practices, staff development programmes, and motivation strategies to improve workforce effectiveness.