Ebonyi State has achieved notable maternal and child health outcomes despite an eight-year embargo on health care worker recruitment. Medical volunteers have filled critical gaps, often working with minimal incentives. Understanding their motivation is critical for sustaining these efforts.

The USAID/Nigeria Health Workforce Management (HWM) Activity conducted a Spatial Analysis and Motivation Study applying advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques to identify patterns and clusters of motivation across Ebonyi State. This technical brief highlights the findings of the spatial analysis, which revealed critical geographic patterns in motivation, guiding targeted investigations into high- and low-motivation zones. These insights have informed evidence-based strategies to support and sustain health care volunteers, ensuring the continued delivery of essential services. The study demonstrates the transformative potential of spatial statistics in human resources for health, emphasizing the need for advanced tools to address complex challenges.